Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro commends Brooklyn federal jury on capital punishment for Ronell Wilson
Calls Any Delay in Carrying Out Execution “Immoral”
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today commended a Brooklyn federal jury for handing down the sentence of capital punishment for Ronell Wilson for the murders of two undercover detectives, and expressed hope that the sentence would be carried out swiftly for the sake of the victims’ families.
“I would like to commend the jury for handing down the death sentence in this case,” said Molinaro. “Capital punishment is the only appropriate penalty for such a heinous crime -- the cold-blooded execution of two detectives.
“Four years later, Staten Island is still in shock and mourning over the loss of Detectives Rodney Andrews and James Nemorin,” Molinaro added. “Their senseless murders sent deep sorrow and outrage throughout the entire city. Perhaps most tragic of all, they left behind five wonderful, bright young children and devoted families.
“The vast majority of New Yorkers support capital punishment for the most heinous acts of murder, and if there was ever a case that called for the death penalty, this was it,” Molinaro continued.
“It was established in court that Ronell Wilson shot Detective Andrews execution-style in the head, and then, as Detective Nemorin pleaded for his life, Wilson coldly ignored those pleas and executed him, too,” Molinaro said.
“Now that the death sentence has been handed down, I call on the judicial system to carry out the sentence swiftly so that the detectives’ families can finally put this tragedy behind them and find peace,” Molinaro added.
“These senseless murders must not be compounded by the further injustice of endless appeals,” Molinaro concluded. “It would be immoral to have the sentence delayed for an unjustified amount of time. That would take a terrible toll on these families and send the wrong message that you can get away with murder.”
February 1, 2007