Queens man convicted of killing FDNY paramedic Alison Russo sentenced to 25 years to life
The man convicted in FDNY paramedic Alison Russo's brutal killing got the maximum sentence Monday.
Russo, 61, was stabbed to death in September 2022 while walking from her stationhouse to get a snack.
A jury found Peter Zisopoulous, 37, guilty of second degree murder and weapons possession. They deliberated for less than an hour.
A judge sentenced Zisopoulos to 25 years to life in prison, and called him a danger to society, regardless of his mental health issues.
Zisopoulos previously found unfit for trial
A jury found that shortly after she walked past his apartment, Zisopoulos charged and attacked her, stabbing her 20 times. The killing was caught on surveillance video.
Zisopoulos took the stand in his own defense. He testified he never left his home the night Russo was killed, saying he was asleep until police knocked on his door. When he was arrested, he was found with a bloody kitchen knife in his pocket, prosecutors said.
Zisopoulos testified after two doctors had previously determined he was psychologically unfit to stand trial.
"Alison Russo was the best of the best"
"Thank God," Russo's daughter Daniello Fuoco said after the sentencing. "Thank God I can put this piece of this process behind me for a little bit. Obviously, the whole situation will never go away. It's something I have to live with every single day. What keeps me going is all the support that I have from family, friends and the Fire Department. I couldn't ask for anything more. Basically they have helped carry me through this process."
"Alison Russo was the best of the best: a longtime public servant and friend who has been missed every single day since her senseless murder in 2022. Today, we are appreciative that her killer has been sentenced to the maximum punishment: 25 years to life. This sentencing speaks to the brutality of the crime, and though it won't bring her back, I pray it will finally give her family the closure they deserve. I want to give a special thanks to the Queens District Attorney's Office, whose tireless efforts in bringing her killer to justice have provided comfort and care to a Department that still continues to mourn Alison's loss," FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said.
"New York will always remember FDNY EMS Captain Alison Russo as a hero, who – for 24 years – served our city and saved countless lives. In the dark days after September 11, she worked in search and recovery efforts in Lower Manhattan. Nothing will bring Captain Russo back, but we hope that the pain and grief over her loss will lessen with today's sentencing. This defendant will now serve 25 years to life in prison for this brutal and senseless crime," Queens DA Melinda Katz said.
Russo's family spoke out after Zisopoulos was convicted.
Russo was posthumously promoted to captain. She is survived by her daughter, her parents and her younger brother.
