By Ivan Pereira
A Briarwood man, who allegedly stabbed an elderly father of three, was ordered to undergo psychiatric testing after he told a judge he was mentally unstable last week, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
William Scott, 30, of 150−90 82nd Drive, pleaded before Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert Hanophy that he was not responsible for the murder of Carmine Randazzo, 78, of Flushing, because he was “by reason of mental disease or defect,” according to Brown.
The plea could result in Scott spending the rest of his life in a mental institution.
Hanophy ordered Scott to undergo psychiatric testing at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center, a state facility, on Wards Island. He is scheduled to return Nov. 10 for the presentation of the psychiatric report, according to the DA.
“The disposition in this case is a measure of justice for the Randazzo family,” the DA said in a statement. “It reflects society’s obligation to treat the mentally ill while at the same time keeping those who are violent off the streets.”
On the afternoon of Sept. 16, 2006, Scott allegedly stabbed Randazzo several times in front of 80−25 Parsons Blvd. in Jamaica. Randazzo, the father of three NYPD officers and a published author, was rushed to a local hospital, but pronounced dead shortly after, according to the DA.
“The attack was vicious, random and unprovoked and not only shattered the lives of Mr. Randazzo’s family, but robbed society of a vibrant individual,” he said in a statement.
The police arrested Scott at his residence and he was charged with second−degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He had faced up to 25 years to life if convicted, Brown said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e−mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 146.
