More than 10 years a 'death sentence'
Judge Karen Wilutis, at the urging of the prosecutor, Dana Castaldo, has asked Politi to stick to the issue of sentencing and not relitigate the case.
She said she denied his motion to vacate Bernagozzi's conviction in a written order handed out earlier today.
"What's an appropriate sentence for a defendant who is 77 years old and has never been convicted of a crime for allegations, some as much as 40 years old?" Politi asked.
"Anything over 5 or 10 years is a death sentence."
Politi is accusing Castaldo of prosecutorial misconduct. "Their witnesses were all over the map, including the loudmouth who just yelled."
Bernagozzi will not speak.
Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.
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