Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Levittown man was sentenced today to 50 years to life in prison for the murder of his wife and attempted murder of his brother-in-law in August 2020 at their Cord Lane home.
Thomas DiNapoli, 70, was convicted by a jury in June of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony), Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a B violent felony), and Assault in the First Degree (a B violent felony). The defendant was sentenced today by Judge Tammy Robbins to 50 years to life in prison.
DiNapoli’s trial started on June 16 and summations were on June 26. The jury deliberated for approximately one hour.
“Cheryl DiNapoli was senselessly murdered by her husband in August 2020, when he brutally fired a rifle twice into her face and neck during an argument in their home,” DA Donnelly said. “Cheryl’s brother ran to her aid and was able to disarm the defendant, but Thomas’ carnage only continued when he retrieved a second weapon and shot his brother-in-law as well. Cheryl’s life was tragically cut short because of her husband’s murderous rage, and while no amount of prison time can ease the pain of the many family members and friends who loved her dearly, we hope that today’s lengthy sentence brings them some measure of comfort.”
DA Donnelly said that on the evening of August 13, 2020, the defendant and his wife, Cheryl DiNapoli, were arguing in the bedroom of their home in Levittown. The defendant shot the 61-year-old victim in the eye and neck with a 9mm rifle.
The woman’s younger brother, who was also living at the home, entered the couple’s bedroom and struggled with the defendant for possession of the gun, ultimately taking it away from DiNapoli.
The defendant then went downstairs to a safe in the garage where he retrieved a second weapon, a shotgun. DiNapoli then shot his brother-in-law, who was behind a door, in the right arm.
The two men physically fought in the house and the struggled continued to the front lawn of the home. There, the brother-in-law was able to take the shotgun away from DiNapoli.
At that point, at approximately 11:49 p.m. that evening, responding officers from the Nassau County Police Department arrested the defendant.
Cheryl DiNapoli was pronounced deceased at the scene. The injured man was taken to the hospital and is recovering from his wounds.
Senior Litigation Counsel Stefanie Palma of the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting this case. The defendant is represented by Christopher Devane, Esq.