The man who was previously found guilty and sentenced to death for the 2003 murder of two undercover police officers in Staten Island has a new defense strategy to avoid the death penalty during his "penalty phase" retrial next year. The lawyer for Ronnell Wilson called him "mentally incompetent" during a hearing in Brooklyn federal court, and argued that he may not be eligible for the death penalty as a result.
Lawyer Says "Mentally Incompetent" Cop Killer Too Dumb For Death Penalty
Staten Island Cop Killer Faces Death
Ronell Wilson, who was found guilty and sentenced to death in January for the 2003 murder of two undercover police officers, was formally sentenced yesterday. The prosecution and defense argued their positions on the sentence once again, and then Wilson, who did not speak during the entire trial, said:
"I would like to say that since there’s no jury here — like the prosecutors had said plenty of times that I had to prove to them — I’d like to say to the families of the victims that I’m sorry, I’m very sorry for the pain that I really caused you. I know it don't mean much and you still look at me as the lowest thing on Earth, but in my heart I tell you that I'm very sorry again...more ›
Ronell Wilson's Death Row Prison Tantrum
Convicted cop killer Ronell Wilson angered the judge presiding over his trial when a warden told him Wilson broke the "shatterproof" windows in a prison visiting room. Wilson, who was sentenced to death for the murders of two undercover police detectives and is at the Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting formal sentencing, threw a chair at the windows when he found out a visit from his mother and sister would be "non-contact" (his previous visits had allowed him touch his relatives). There was a four-hour standoff, with a SWAT team waiting, until Wilson gave up.
Death Penalty for Cop Killer Ronell Wilson
After two days of deliberations, a federal jury sentenced Ronell Wilson to death for the 2003 killings of undercover detectives James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews. When the verdict was read, Wilson rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at Nemorin's widow Rose. This is the first death penalty sentence for a federal case in NY State in over 50 years.
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- A cop killer Ronell Wilson goes through his penalty phase, we're learning a lot about him like how he sucked his thumb at 15 and how a kid he robbed 10 years ago (he stole his calculator and bus pass) is doing fine these days.
- Elmhurst residents will not only get new green parkland from a lot where gas tanks are - that boulder from Fort Greene will be added there too!
- A funeral was held for police officer Cesar Borja, who died of a pulmonary illness many believe was caused by working 16 hour shifts at Ground Zero.
Guilty Verdict For Cop Killer; Death Penalty Looms
A federal jury found Ronnell Wilson guilty of shooting two undercover detective in Staten Island three years ago. Detectives James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews were trying to buy illegal guns in a sting operation. Here is a description of the crime from the Post:
Wilson and another man, Jessie Jacobus, had decided that they would rob Nemorin - although they realized he might be a cop - instead of selling him a gun. The two thugs climbed into the back seat of Nemorin's car. A few moments later, Wilson shot both officers, then patted down their bodies for cash.more ›
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A Brad Downey sculpture in Greenpoint, by Tod Seelie, who has pix of a couple of more at his site.

