Spota statement on John White's commutation
A file photo of Suffolk Executive Steve Levy, left, and District Attorney Thomas Spota in 2010. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
This is the statement released by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota regarding Gov. David A. Paterson commuting John White's sentence.
Statement from Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas J. Spota
Re: the commutation of the sentence of John White, convicted in 2007 of second degree manslaughter and third degree criminal possession of a weapon in the shooting death of 17-year old Daniel Cicciaro during a confrontation in the street in front of White’s home in August of 2006.
“I strongly believe the Governor should have had the decency and the compassion to at least contact the victim’s family to allow them to be heard before commuting the defendant’s sentence.”
White was sentenced in Suffolk County court on March 19, 2008 to up to four years in prison.
He was incarcerated in July after an appellate court upheld the conviction. The court found “ample support for the jury’s conclusion that a reasonable person in the defendant’s position… would not have believed that the use of deadly force was necessary…” and deadly physical force was not justified…”.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 3: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 3: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week.
