10/26/2006
Three Indicted on Hate Crime Charges in Michael Sandy Murder
Anthony Fortunato, 20, was indicted on hate crime charges yesterday in the death of Michael Sandy. Ilya Shurov, 20, and John Fox (below right), 19, were charged last week. The three were charged with murder and attempted robbery as a hate crime using an extended definition which includes those who prey on a specific class of people.
Said Homicide Bureau Chief Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi: "They were targeting someone based on a belief. Based on the evidence we have, they chose to target a gay man, believing that would make him an easier target. I think we were careful, in applying the statute, that we had the evidence that made the statute applicable."
The three men, along with 16-year-old Gary Timmins, who has yet to be charged, lured Sandy via an internet chat room to a parking lot on the Belt Parkway where he was robbed, and, following a scuffle, forced into oncoming traffic. He was then hit by a car and sustained injuries that would keep him in a coma until his family later made the choice to remove him from life support. Sandy died October 13.
If convicted, the three men face 25 years to life in prison.
Previously
Two Indicted for Murder as Hate Crime in Michael Sandy Killing [tr]
Michael Sandy Attacker 'Sorry', Cops Examine Web Gay Bash Trend [tr]
NYC Hate Crime Victim Michael Sandy Dies [tr]
Michael Sandy Clings to Life; Men Charged with Hate Crimes [tr]
Four Arrested: Attack on Michael Sandy was Internet Set-up [tr]
Gay New York Man Critically Injured After Attack, Hit-and-Run [tr]
Posted 8:54 AM EST by Andy in Crime, Michael Sandy, New York, News | Permalink
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and may they get raped every day...
Posted by: Darren | Oct 26, 2006 8:59:16 AM
So basically, they face only 25 years for killing someone. Remarkable.
Posted by: Michael W. | Oct 26, 2006 9:28:06 AM
Maybe they should be beaten and forced into oncoming traffic. Sounds like a fair sentence to me.
Posted by: Greg | Oct 26, 2006 9:58:23 AM
hmmmm
On the one hand, I am glad they were caught and are being tried for their crime. On the other hand, 25 years for murder seems a too light of a sentence.
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Oct 26, 2006 10:17:47 AM
Doesn't it sometimes seem like more minor offenses get off worse than the harsher ones?
Posted by: Derrick | Oct 26, 2006 10:22:01 AM
Are they charged with first-degree or second-degree murder?
Posted by: Tread | Oct 26, 2006 10:24:58 AM
Tread, in NY "first-degree" murder is capital murder -- i.e., murder with some special circumstances (like killing a police officer, murder for hire, etc.) that make it death-penalty eligible (even though the death penalty is now effectively dead in NY). They have almost certainly been charged with second-degree, which includes felony murder (I think that's what they've been charged under).
Posted by: Glenn | Oct 26, 2006 10:50:30 AM
Derrick it does seem that way
and yes a minor crime comited by an african american man seems to get even harsher sentences that horrid crimes by white guys..
OT but a prime example.....the enron guy who just got sentenced is sitting at home with an ankle bracelet (suppsoedly he will go to an actual resort, i mean fed prison for 24 yrs= 12 yrs good behavior) while a hard working african american male who has just a smidgeon of pot on the weekend to relax from the stress of working hard to feed his family goes straight to jail with no ankle bracelet fun time at home
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Oct 26, 2006 11:20:02 AM
I forgot to mention the enron guy was part of the swindeling of MILLIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! from little old retired ladys and they were even busted on tape as joking about specificaly swindeling little old ladys
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Oct 26, 2006 11:21:50 AM