Peter Zisopoulos faced damning evidence in court over the brutal murder of FDNY EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling, yet maintained his innocence despite surveillance footage capturing the savage attack.
At a Glance
- Surveillance video showed Zisopoulos stabbing 25-year FDNY veteran and 9/11 responder Lt. Alison Russo-Elling 22 times in Queens
- Despite being clearly identified in footage, Zisopoulos claimed he was home watching TV during the September 2022 attack
- Police found Zisopoulos with a bloody hand and knife in his pocket after forcing entry into his apartment
- Zisopoulos faces 25 years to life if convicted of second-degree murder for the unprovoked attack
- Though previously deemed mentally unfit, Zisopoulos has been found competent to stand trial and has not mounted an insanity defense
Shocking Video Evidence Presented in Court
A Queens courtroom fell silent as surveillance footage captured the horrific final moments of FDNY EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling’s life. The video evidence, a centerpiece of the prosecution’s case against Peter Zisopoulos, documented the unprovoked September 2022 attack in which the 61-year-old first responder was stabbed 22 times in the chest and torso.
Auto mechanic Jaanki Oomraw provided emotional testimony about witnessing the brutal assault that occurred while Russo-Elling was on her lunch break near her station in Astoria. The evidence was presented despite objections from Zisopoulos’s defense team, who later attempted unsuccessfully to have the case dismissed.
Defendant’s Bizarre Testimony and Demeanor
Throughout the proceedings, Zisopoulos maintained an eerily emotionless demeanor, even as the graphic footage played for the jury. His testimony contained multiple contradictions about his whereabouts during the murder. Initially claiming he was asleep in his apartment, he later said he was watching “Star Wars” or news broadcasts when the attack occurred.
When confronted with video evidence showing the assailant entering his building immediately after the stabbing, Zisopoulos denied being the person in the footage despite the clear visual match. He offered no explanation for how surveillance captured someone with his exact appearance returning to his residence.
When questioned about the bloody knife found in his pocket during arrest, Zisopoulos acknowledged possessing the weapon but denied using it in the murder. He bizarrely claimed blood found in his apartment came from his sister’s nosebleed. Most startling was his assertion that police officers had cut his hand, contradicting his earlier statements that the wound was old. These inconsistencies further undermined his credibility as prosecutors methodically presented evidence connecting him to every aspect of the crime.
Police Response and Arrest Details
Following the attack, Zisopoulos barricaded himself in his apartment, requiring police to use a hydraulic device to breach his door. Officers testified about discovering him with a bloody hand and recovering the murder weapon from his pocket. Despite his resistance during arrest, Zisopoulos has been found legally fit for trial after initially being deemed psychologically unfit due to delusions and psychosis. Notably, his defense team has not pursued an insanity plea, leaving the jury to determine whether he committed the crime with the intent required for a second-degree murder conviction.
Honoring a Fallen Hero
Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling served the FDNY for 25 years and was among the brave first responders during the September 11 attacks. Posthumously promoted to captain, her senseless murder while on duty devastated the emergency services community. Family members, including her daughter, have attended court proceedings, visibly disturbed by Zisopoulos’s apparent lack of remorse and bizarre denials in the face of overwhelming evidence. As the trial continues, the prosecution has emphasized Russo-Elling’s dedicated service to New York City and the complete randomness of the attack that took her life during a routine lunch break.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Zisopoulos faces 25 years to life in prison for a crime that has shocked even veteran law enforcement officers with its brutality. The jury is expected to deliberate after closing arguments, weighing the clear video evidence against the defendant’s implausible denials and inconsistent testimony about what occurred on that tragic September day in Queens.
