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Rich. Hill tenant admits fatal stabbing: Brown

Rich. Hill tenant admits fatal stabbing: Brown
Photo courtesy Queens DA
By Howard Koplowitz

A Richmond Hill man pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday for fatally stabbing his roommate’s friend in the heart during an argument in January 2010, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.

Luis Zeledon, 27, whose last known address was 87-32 123rd St. in Richmond Hill, admitted killing 28-year-old Andy Herrera following a verbal misunderstanding that escalated to a physical fight, Brown said.

Queens Supreme Court Judge Gregory Lasak, who set Zeledon’s sentencing for Dec. 14, indicated he would give Zeledon a 10-year prison sentence, Brown said.

Zeledon shared a first-floor apartment on 123rd Street with his girlfriend and a roommate, Marlon Montalvan.

The three were hanging out in the apartment on the night of Jan. 19, 2010, with Montalvan’s friend, 28-year-old Andy Herrrera.

When Zeledon and his girlfriend went to bed, Zeledon thought he heard Montalvan saying something disparaging about him, the DA said.

Zeledon started an argument with Montalvan in the kitchen, picked up two knives and used one to cut Montalvan on the forearm, the DA said.

Herrera came to his friend Montalvan’s aid and used a chair he had been sitting on as a shield when Zeledon stabbed him once in the chest, Brown said.

Herrera dropped the chair and ran out of the apartment, collapsing in the building’s vestibule, the DA said.

He died shortly after he was taken to Jamaica Hospital, Brown said.

“The defendant admitted that his violent actions were solely responsible for the untimely death of a young man coming to the aid of a friend,” Brown said in a statement. “As such, the defendant has proven himself unfit for society, and the prison term to be imposed is more than warranted.”

Herrera, a native of Nicaragua, worked as a carpet cleaner for his landlord’s wife, Anna Rodriguez, on Long Island.

Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.