February 10, 2000

JACKSON HEIGHTS MAN CONVICTED OF THREE COUNTS OF MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF HIS WIFE, SON AND SISTER IN LAW. FACES UP TO 75 YEARS IN PRISON

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the conviction of a Jackson Heights man on charges of killing his wife, his 12 year old son and his sister in law in a bloody rampage inside the couple's home in September 1997.

District Attorney Brown said, "This was a senseless act of violence visited by the defendant against his wife, her sister and his young son that deserves the imposition of the maximum sentence allowed by law."

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Israel Otero, 55, of 35-05 72^nd Street, Jackson Heights. He was convicted of three counts of manslaughter in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree after a week and a half long jury trial before Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman. Justice Cooperman will sentence the defendant on March 8, 2000. He faces a maximum sentence of 37½ years to 75 years in prison.

According to the testimony at trial, the defendant first shot and killed his wife, 46 year old Luz Rodriguez, and her 45 year old sister Herminia Rodriguez after an argument the three had had at about 8:45 pm on the night of September 8, 1997. The evidence showed that the defendant had lost his job six months before the killings and that he and his wife had been having marital difficulties. On the night of the killings his wife and her sister, who had been living with the couple refused to cook dinner for him and told the defendant they wanted him to move out of the house. A bitter argument ensued which enraged the defendant. During the course of the argument he pulled out a gun and shot each woman four times. The defendant then went into another room and turned the gun on his 12 year old son, Jeffrey Otero, shooting him four times in the head and body. The defendant then called the police and waited for their arrival.

Assistant District Attorney Brad Leventhal of the District Attorney's Homicide Trials Bureau which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Daniel A. Saunders and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Gregory L. Lasak, tried the case.

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