Judge Sentences Mastermind Of Queens Home Invasion Murder To 50 Years To Life

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There were words of anger and grief from a heartbroken family Monday during a dramatic confrontation in a Queens courtroom, as a man was sentenced for murder.

Frank LaCorte listened without flinching as scorn was heaped on him by the family of Gerardo Antoniello, who was shot dead at his father's home in Ozone Park while fighting off home invasion robbers.

"On Sept. 9, 2009, where was Gerry's right to be safe in his own home, to be safe from this murdering, robbing, armed coward?" Angelo Antoniello said.

"My mom asks me all the time, why did these animals have to rob a house? Why did they have to kill Gerry? Can you answer that, Francis, you low-life [expletive]?"

LaCorte was convicted in March for hiring a crew that hit several homes in Queens. He didn't actively participate in the violent robberies but was charged as the mastermind.

When it came time for LaCorte to speak, he told the Antoniello family they've got it all wrong, that he's not a savage criminal mastermind. He insisted he was a victim, too.

"Why would I decide to rob people that I do not know, possibly ruin my life? I do not drink, do drugs, gamble, and I'm not crazy or dumb," LaCorte said.

LaCorte admitted he bought stolen goods from the robbers, but claimed they fingered him as the mastermind in order to win lesser sentences.

"I'm truly sorry for the victims' losses and feel terrible. I even know people who are responsible for these crimes," LaCorte said.

Judge Richard Buchter didn't buy it.

"He got involved in this mess and now he's gonna pay for it," the judge said before sentencing LaCorte to 50 years to life in prison.

LaCorte, a business owner and college graduate, insisted he's an innocent man and vowed to appeal.

At the time of the murder, LaCorte owned two cell phone stores, and was about to open a dog grooming business.

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