The man found guilty of randomly murdering a beloved first responder in New York nearly three years ago has learned his fate.
Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was sentenced on Monday to 25 years to life in prison for murdering New York City Fire Department EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling. He was convicted of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon during a 12-day jury trial that began on May 7. The jury reached a verdict after less than an hour of deliberations.
Russo-Elling was months away from retirement on Sept. 29, 2022, when she walked from her fire station to a nearby food store for a lunch break during her shift. Zisopoulos is said to have left his apartment building, “raced” toward Russo-Elling, who was in uniform, and “shoved her to the sidewalk,” trial testimony revealed. The defendant then “repeatedly plunged a kitchen knife into the 61-year-old woman’s chest and abdomen, penetrating her liver, lungs and heart,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said…