Riverhead, NY - April 4th, 2016 - A 28 year old Nassau County man faces life in prison without parole when he is sentenced next month after a jury in Riverhead convicted him today of the first-degree murder of his girlfriend’s mother, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.
Antonio Christian crushed 59-year old Saundra Simonée’s skull with a hammer on the morning of September 26, 2013 in her East Norwich home.
The victim’s 29-year old daughter, Shatura Simonée, testified that during the assault Christian tortured her mother to get her bank card PIN number. Detectives said on the day after the murder, Christian used the bank card to withdraw money and buy a PlayStation.
District Attorney Spota said Shatura Simonée will go to prison too for her role in her mother’s homicide.
She pleaded guilty last year to criminal facilitation and hindering prosecution, admitting to police that she did nothing to render aid to her mother or even report the crime to authorities.
The jury began deliberations on Tuesday afternoon (3-29).
State Supreme Court Justice Mark Cohen will sentence Christian on May 3.