Notable New York State Criminal Defense Cases

Overturned 22 Year Old Murder Conviction

Overturned a 22 year old murder conviction by arguing ineffective assistance of trial counsel, when lawyers from the same NYC law firm represented two co-defendants at a joint trial. Defendant was subsequently released from state prison and was sentenced to time served upon her plea of guilty to the reduced charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree. People v. Marie L.

Sex Abuse Acquittal

Not guilty trial verdict achieved for a twenty four year old young man accused of sexually assaulting a woman while they were on a Fire Island Beach. People v. Matthew S.

Suffolk County Police Officer Acquitted of Menacing

Achieved a not guilty verdict for a Suffolk County Police Officer charged with unlawfully brandishing his firearm while off duty outside of a Patchogue nightclub. People v. Gregory H.

Forcible Touching Acquittal

Not guilty trial verdict achieved for a sixteen year old high school student accused of sexually touching a female classmate while they were at the South Shore Mall in Bayshore, New York. In Matter of “John Doe,” a minor. Family Court, Suffolk County.

Mortimer Zuckerman

Represented Mr. Zuckerman, Chairman of Boston Properties, Inc. and Owner and Publisher of The New York Daily News and U.S. News and World Reports, in East Hampton Town Court for various charges, including Leaving the Scene of an Automobile Accident (VTL Sec. 600.1). All charges were dismissed.

People v. Daniel Pelosi

Counsel to Mr. Pelosi for various charges including assault, grand larceny, theft of services and witness intimidation in Supreme Court, Suffolk County.

Martin Tankleff Murder Case

Represented client alleged to have committed the murders of Arlene and Seymour Tankleff in 1988 by the Martin Tankleff defense team. Actively participated in CPL 440.10 evidentiary hearing in Suffolk County Court and a subsequent NYS Attorney General investigation.

Teacher-Student Sex Abuse Acquittal

Achieved a full acquittal from a Brooklyn jury for a New York City elementary school science teacher accused of sexually molesting five of his third and fourth grade students.

Assault Not Guilty Verdict

Bouncer acquitted of all charges, after a jury trial, of assaulting a patron, by fracturing his spine, during a fight at a Long Island nightclub. People v. Ronald M.

LIRR Copper Theft Conspiracy Acquittal

Client acquitted by a Nassau County jury of conspiring with numerous LIRR employees to steal over $250,000 of copper wiring from the railroad. This client was the only defendant charged in this 14 defendant case to be fully acquitted. People v. Craig B.

KeySpan Employee Trial Acquittal

KeySpan employee acquitted of Extortion and Grand Larceny charges after a jury trial in Suffolk County. Client, a gas meter reader, was alleged to have unlawfully taken money from a homeowner by threatening to report asbestos in his residence. This not guilty jury verdict obtained despite client purportedly confessing to the crimes in a signed, written statement prepared by the arresting detective.

Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident

Driver charged with DWI, Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, after striking two pedestrians, fatally injuring one of them, while driving with his 9 year old child in his vehicle. Negotiated a plea disposition involving 6 months local incarceration and 5 years of probation. People v. Victor V.

DWI Acquittal

Obtained a full acquittal for a young driver charged with DWI (combination of drugs and alcohol) who caused a serious multi-vehicle accident resulting in serious injury.

Huntington Bay Boating Accident Death Investigation

Represented the captain of the Kandi Won, a 34 foot Silverton yacht that capsized in Huntington Bay, after a July 4th fireworks display, causing the tragic death of three young children. After an extensive police investigation, no criminal charges were filed.

Criminal Investigation Involving a Suffolk County Police Officer

Represented a 30 year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department, and a member of the Suffolk County Policeman’s Benevolent Association (SCPBA), in a death investigation of a man who committed suicide while being detained in a precinct holding cell.

High School Teacher Sex Abuse

Advocated a no jail sentence with straight probation for a Long Island high school social studies teacher who pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a minor. People v. Jason B.

Assault Acquittal

Attained a complete acquittal, after a bench trial, for a prominent Long Island restaurant owner accused of seriously injuring an acquaintance during a social gathering. Successfully interposed the affirmative defense of justification (self defense). People v. Ronald M.

Political Corruption

Represented the Town of Smithtown Building Inspector indicted for Bribe Receiving, Official Misconduct and Filing a False instrument. People v. Robert B.

Manorville Man Charged in Wife’s Machete Murder

Not responsible by reason of mental disease disposition earned in Suffolk County Court with the assistance of defense expert, a Harvard educated forensic psychiatrist expert witness, whose extensive evaluation and narrative report of client facilitated this disposition. People v. Thomas D.

Marcelo Lucero Hate Crime Murder Case

Successfully represented 18 year old client indicted on felony Gang Assault hate crime charges in this Suffolk County criminal prosecution that received national media attention. People v. Christopher O.

Lawyer Accused of Failing to File Tax Returns

Represented a prominent East Hampton attorney accused of failing to file NYS tax returns. People v. David E.

Karate Teacher Sex Abuse

Orchestrated a favorable sentence after a guilty plea for a Long Island karate school instructor indicted for having sexual contact with students. People v. James B.

Huntington Bagel Shop Murder

Trial counsel for owner of a popular Huntington Village bagel store owner charged with killing his wife, inside of the store, over their disputed matrimonial case. People v. Robert A.

Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

Achieved the favorable plea bargain for a Long Island man who operated his motor vehicle, while intoxicated by drugs and alcohol, and who fled the scene after he struck and killed a female pedestrian at a bus stop. People v. William M.

Hauppauge Club Owner Charged with Murder

Represented a prominent night club owner from East Quogue who shot and killed a patron in the parking lot of his club in Hauppauge. During trial, prosecutors offered a plea to the reduced charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree. Client was sentenced to 10 years. People v. Ismeal D.

Belmont Racetrack Murder

After extensive plea negotiations, client, a jockey from Trinidad, charged with Second Degree Murder, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree, for stabbing to death another jockey during an altercation at Belmont Racetrack. Client was sentenced to 10 years. People v. Michael L.

Farmingville Firebomb Hate Crime

Received national media attention for representing a 16 year old Farmingville teenager accused of firebombing the residence of a local immigrant family from Mexico. Client was adjudicated a Youthful Offender and received a sealed record.

Attorney Charged in Fatal Hamptons DWI Accident

Counsel to a former assistant district attorney and defense attorney charged with manslaughter for causing the death of a Belgium tourist in a DWI accident in Amagansett. People v. Keith K.

Teen Charged in Infant’s Death

Represented a Long Island teenager who hid her pregnancy and failed to seek help when she gave birth to the baby in a bathroom at her home. The baby died from asphyxiation. Teen was adjudicated a Youthful Offender and received a sealed record.

Ex Suffolk Lawmaker Accused of Mortgage Fraud

Counsel to former Suffolk County Legislator accused of Forgery, Grand Larceny, and Insurance Fraud. People v. George G .

Murder for Hire

Attorney for woman who helped arrange for the murder of a Nesconset lawyer killed at the behest of his business partner. Negotiated a plea bargain resulting in the minimum sentence available for that charge. People v. Monique R.

Dismissal of Charges Against Town Commissioner

Earned the complete dismissal of all charges for a Town Public Works Commissioner accused of stalking and harassing an employee.

Dismissal of Charges Against ‘Serial’ Graffiti Artist

Attained dismissal of all charges against a man sought for years by law enforcement for damaging landmarks across Long Island by spray-painting graffiti.

Police Officer Charged with Weapon Charge

Hired by East End Police Officer prosecuted by The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for failing to disclose the purchase of a handgun. People v. Andrea A.

Town Treasurer Charged with Grand Larceny

Defended the Town of Old Field Treasurer accused of stealing money and over billing for her work hours. Achieved a no jail misdemeanor disposition involving community service and restitution. People v. Andrea B.

$1.8 Million Dollar Theft

Earned a 6 month house arrest sentence with probation and restitution for a client indicted on Grand Larceny in the First Degree for stealing $1.8 million dollars worth of liquor warehoused for store owners. This plea bargain was struck after successfully suppressing admissions made by the client during questioning by District Attorney investigators after a pre-trial hearing. People v. James C.

Leaving the Scene of a Double Fatality

Negotiated a no jail plea bargain involving community service and probation for a woman driver who was involved in a three car accident that caused two deaths on Granny Road in Medford, Suffolk County. People v. Kathy H.