A Queens man was convicted today for masterminding for three home invasions — one of which ended in the murder of a cop’s brother.
Francis LaCorte, 29, was found guilty on all 13 charges — including second-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy — for his involvement in the execution-style murder of Gerardo Antoniello, 29, on Sept. 9, 2009.
“I hope he’s put away for a very long time and he won’t hurt or kill anyone else’s son, brother or uncle,” said NYPD Sgt. Carmine Antoniello, the victim’s older brother.
LaCorte hired at least three goons, Jason Burrell, Shawn Stallworth and Rashod Cowan to invade targeted Ozone Park homes, in hopes of scoring drugs, money and other expensive items.
“[LaCorte] was the puppeteer, mastermind and architect,” Assistant DA Brad Leventhal said in his closing arguments.
“He brought this guys in to do their dirty work and rob his own neighbors, because they were too scared to do it themselves, it was too risky.”
LaCorte furnished his henchmen with cell phones from his T-Mobile shop on Cross Bay Boulevard.
In two of the three home attacks, LaCorte’s admitted accomplice Vincent Mineo kept tabs on victims at a members-only social club — and then notified hired thugs that their intended marks were headed home.
“All the evidence was there with the text messages and phone calls,” said the jury forewoman.
Another juror added: “It didn’t help that the defense didn’t call any witnesses or didn’t show any passion in his closings.”
LaCorte is facing up to 80 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced on April 16.
Burrell, Stallworth and Cowan all pleaded guilty and were each promised six, 13 and 17 years, respectively, in exchange for their testimony. They’ll be sentenced later this month.
Before LaCorte’s trial began, Mineo pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years.
The thugs who actually pulled the trigger on Antoniello have still not been arrested. Prosecutors said they know their identities, but are still building a case against them.