Forest Hills man killed tryst: DA
By Anna Gustafson
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| Police investigate the Forest Hills apartment building of Michael Pecora, who was found stabbed to death. Photo by PJ Smith |
A dispute over money led a Massachusetts man to murder Forest Hills resident Michael Pecora last week after meeting him online and planning to have sex with him, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Alexys Fermaintt, 30, of Holyoke, Mass., admitted to stabbing Pecora, 38, four times between 12 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. June 17, after he and Pecora disagreed over the amount of money Pecora was going to pay Fermaintt for sex and for spending the day with him, the DA said.
Pecora died from stab wounds to the torso, according to the city medical examiner’s office.
Fermaintt, who told police he met Pecora online, has been charged with second-degree murder, the DA said. Fermaintt could spend 25 years to life behind bars if convicted, according to the DA.
Fermaintt told police he stabbed in self-defense Pecora after the Forest Hills man originally attempted to knife him, the DA said. Following the murder, Fermaintt fled from Pecora’s Forest Hills co-op building on 65th Avenue and took with him Pecora’s cell phone, laptop and watch, according to the DA.
Police were able to track down Fermaintt after a taxi driver notified police that the Massachusetts man had used Pecora’s cell phone to pay for cab fare after leaving Pecora’s home, a Police Department spokesman said.
Fermaintt was arrested last Thursday afternoon in Massachusetts and was brought to Queens Friday, police said. He was arraigned Friday night in Queens Criminal Court and ordered held without bail. The Queens DA’s office said Fermaintt will return to court July 2.
Pecora’s neighbors said they were shocked to learn of Pecora’s murder.
“I don’t believe it,” said Yanick Dominijanni, who lives in the co-op next to Pecora’s building. “This is a quiet neighborhood. It’s scary, very scary, because you never know.”
Adela Saporta, who lived in the same building as Pecora, said the victim had recently lost his job. According to Saporta, Pecora was friendly and had previously invited her in to see his apartment. Pecora had lived for less than two years in the Forest Hills co-op, Saporta said.
Reporter Ivan Pereira and photographer PJ Smith contributed reporting to this article.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 174.
Alexys Fermaintt, 30, of Holyoke, Mass., admitted to stabbing Pecora, 38, four times between 12 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. June 17, after he and Pecora disagreed over the amount of money Pecora was going to pay Fermaintt for sex and for spending the day with him, the DA said.
Pecora died from stab wounds to the torso, according to the city medical examiner’s office.
Fermaintt, who told police he met Pecora online, has been charged with second-degree murder, the DA said. Fermaintt could spend 25 years to life behind bars if convicted, according to the DA.
Fermaintt told police he stabbed in self-defense Pecora after the Forest Hills man originally attempted to knife him, the DA said. Following the murder, Fermaintt fled from Pecora’s Forest Hills co-op building on 65th Avenue and took with him Pecora’s cell phone, laptop and watch, according to the DA.
Police were able to track down Fermaintt after a taxi driver notified police that the Massachusetts man had used Pecora’s cell phone to pay for cab fare after leaving Pecora’s home, a Police Department spokesman said.
Fermaintt was arrested last Thursday afternoon in Massachusetts and was brought to Queens Friday, police said. He was arraigned Friday night in Queens Criminal Court and ordered held without bail. The Queens DA’s office said Fermaintt will return to court July 2.
Pecora’s neighbors said they were shocked to learn of Pecora’s murder.
“I don’t believe it,” said Yanick Dominijanni, who lives in the co-op next to Pecora’s building. “This is a quiet neighborhood. It’s scary, very scary, because you never know.”
Adela Saporta, who lived in the same building as Pecora, said the victim had recently lost his job. According to Saporta, Pecora was friendly and had previously invited her in to see his apartment. Pecora had lived for less than two years in the Forest Hills co-op, Saporta said.
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Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 174.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
Tim wrote on Jun 25, 2009 3:41 PM:
" Mike was a respected SVP a MC with a masters from U of Tampa, held many respected positions at many banking institutions. Mike would not give money to a hustler, he would however help out someone he felt needed the help even if that meant giving money. Mike was a single man looking for a relationship. I have heard of men on the internet advertising for a relationship and then demanding money after the fact. I know Mike would not have gone after this man with a knife first, if anything Mike was trying to defend himself against this person who was not forthwright with his intentions. Mike was at work all day Tuesday and did not spend the day with this person as he alleges. Mike was a kind and generous person who would go out of his way to do anything for anyone, he always looked for the good in everyone even the smallest amount of good, which is why he may have known this Alexys Fermaintt person. This Alexys Fermaintt individual has police records in several states, possibly another murder he may have gotten away with? and is in no way credible...unfortunately Mike cannot speak on his own behalf. "
dustin wrote on Jun 26, 2009 4:01 PM:
" "The Massachusetts man had used Pecora’s cell phone to pay for cab fare..." umm how is this possible??? "
Robert Ryan wrote on Jun 27, 2009 7:24 AM:
" This man,Alexys Fermanitt is obviously conflicted about his sexuality which could be the reason(other than economic necessity) he chooses to engage in "pay for play". He probably quoted one price over the phone and wanted more after the fact. When Mr. Pecora refused he probably became violent and stabbed him. In no way is this self defense-if there is any justice he will receive the maximum penalty under the law. "
Friend of Mikes wrote on Jul 6, 2009 7:40 PM:
" I hope Alexys gets what he deserves...Dirty Piece of Human trash! I hope they kill you in prison!
Mike was a great guy...kind...honest..generous..hard working...loyal....sweet and more.
Alexys murdered Mike...if it was really self defense..why did this piece of Sh** steal his cell phone and pc....oh yeah..and watch....To Alexys...and all his supporters!!!!!!! Karma's a Bit** "
Mike was a great guy...kind...honest..generous..hard working...loyal....sweet and more.
Alexys murdered Mike...if it was really self defense..why did this piece of Sh** steal his cell phone and pc....oh yeah..and watch....To Alexys...and all his supporters!!!!!!! Karma's a Bit** "
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Gary wrote on Jun 25, 2009 3:26 PM:
I can tell that this is a complete LIE - "Fermaintt told police he stabbed in self-defense Pecora after the Forest Hills man originally attempted to knife him"
Fermaintt has a wrap sheet that includes several other crimes in several states. I found out from a reliable source yesterday that he is wanted in connection to a murder in New Hampshire. Self defense? Really? "