Thomas DiNapoli of Levittown convicted of murder in wife's killing, Nassau DA Anne Donnelly says
Police respond to the shooting at the home on Cord Lane in Levittown in 2020. Credit: Paul Mazza
A Levittown man who prosecutors said shot his wife in the face during a deadly 2020 domestic dispute — and then opened fire on his brother-in-law — was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder by a Nassau County jury.
The trial for Thomas DiNapoli, 70, started on June 16 and wrapped up Monday, according to Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly. The jury deliberated for approximately one hour before delivering the guilty verdict.
He was also convicted of first-degree assault, prosecutors said.
DiNapoli is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on July 27 before acting Supreme Court Justice Tammy Robbins. He faces a maximum of 50 years to life in prison.
DiNapoli’s attorney, Christopher Devane, did not immediately return requests for comment.
“Thomas DiNapoli brutally murdered his wife by firing a rifle twice at her face, striking the woman in the neck and eye,” Donnelly said. “Cheryl DiNapoli’s brother then ran to the bedroom, where he observed the defendant with a gun. He wrestled the gun away from the defendant and called for help."
Donnelly said Thomas and Cheryl DiNapoli were arguing in the bedroom of their Cord Lane home on the evening of Aug. 13, 2020, when he shot her in the eye and the neck with a 9 mm rifle.
Cheryl DiNapoli's brother, Robert Rischman, who also lived at the Levittown home, entered the bedroom and struggled with Thomas DiNapoli for possession of the rifle before he ultimately wrestled it from the defendant, officials said.
DiNapoli then went downstairs and retrieved a shotgun from a safe in the garage. He then shot his brother-in-law, who was behind a door, in the right arm, prosecutors said.
The two men physically fought in the house and the struggle continued to the front lawn of the home, where Rischman was able to take the shotgun away from DiNapoli, officials said.
Nassau police arrived and arrested DiNapoli. His wife was pronounced dead at the scene. Rischman was taken to a hospital for treatment of his wounds.
“Thanks to the quick response of the Nassau County Police Department and Cheryl’s brother, the defendant was apprehended,” Donnelly said. "I thank our prosecutors and the police officers who helped convict this remorseless defendant.”
