Former NYPD cop from LI convicted in ex-girlfriend's stabbing death
Former New York City police officer Arthur Lomando is wheeled into a courtroom at Bergen County Superior Court for his initial appearance, Thursday, Jan, 28, 2016, in Hackensack N.J., where he pleaded not guilty in the killing of Suzanne Bardzell with a machete-like knife. Lomando, who had both feet amputated, is suing New York City's transit authority for $50 million, claiming he was either jostled, slipped or was hit by falling debris, according to his lawyer. Authorities had said he tried to kill himself by jumping in front of a subway on Oct. 22, hours after allegedly killing Bardzell. Credit: Pool/Amy Newman
A former NYPD officer from Centereach who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death with a machete-type knife and then jumped in front of a subway train has been convicted of first-degree murder by a jury in Bergen County, New Jersey, his attorney said on Wednesday.
Suzanne Bardzell, 48, a special-education teacher who lived in Midland Park, New Jersey, had obtained an order of protection before Arthur Lomando — whom she met through the online dating site Match.com — knifed her nearly 40 times while she sat in her car outside her home, defense attorney Anthony M. La Pinta of Mineola said by telephone.
The Oct. 22, 2015, assault was captured on home security cameras and viewed by the jury, La Pinta said.
Bardzell, 48, had dated Lomando about three years, La Pinta said. She was the mother of two teenage sons. After killing her, Lomando, then 44, drove to Harlem; his suicide attempt severed both of his lower legs.
After deliberating about a day and a half, the jury on Tuesday rejected the defense’s argument of diminished capacity, based on Lomando’s history of psychiatric illness, including depression and borderline personality disorder, which cost him his position with the NYPD about a decade ago, La Pinta said.
“We’re very disappointed in the verdict and thought we presented a viable defense,” La Pinta said.
Lomando was convicted on the 8 counts for which he was indicted, according to a spokeswoman for the Bergen County prosecutor. His crimes include: causing his victim to fear for her safety, possessing a knife with a 9 1/2 inch blade that he intended to use unlawfully, concealing evidence by wearing a glove during the assault that he then got rid of and fleeing the murder in a rented car.
Arthur Lomando, an ex-NYPD cop from Centereach, was found guilty of murdering Suzanne Bardzell, who was found fatally stabbed in the driveway of her Midland Park, N.J., home on Oct. 22, 2015. Credit: Bergen County Prosecutor
Lomando, who also was convicted of violating the order of protection, is expected to be sentenced to life without parole on March 28, La Pinta said.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 20: Longo named football coach at SWR On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with new Shoreham-Wading River football coach Paul Longo and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
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