USANewsOnline.Com Desk, New York : Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced March 24 that Kristof Williams, 27, has been convicted at trial of murder in the second degree and other crimes for his participation in a botched home invasion that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old man. The victim was stabbed to death when the defendant and others broke into a South Richmond Hill home in November 2016. Williams is the fourth defendant charged in this deadly incident.
District Attorney Katz said, “After nearly two weeks of listening to testimony, a jury found the defendant guilty of murder in the death of a young man who was at a friend’s home playing video games when he was suddenly attacked and killed. This defendant was a participant in this senseless act of violence.
His fate will now be determined when the Court sentences him for his criminal actions.”
Williams, of Grand Central Parkway in Forest Hills, Queens, was found guilty yesterday of murder in the second degree and two counts of burglary in the first degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise, who presided at trial, set the defendant’s sentencing for May 6, 2022. At that time, Williams faces up to 25 years-to-life in prison.
According to trial records, at approximately 2 a.m. on November 30, 2016, Williams along with three others entered a home on 110th Street in South Richmond Hill, Queens. The defendant believed the group would find Xanax pills, marijuana and cash inside.
DA Katz said, the defendant and the three other attackers found Eddie Ventura, 20, in a bedroom playing video games with two others. Ventura fought with one of the men and was stabbed numerous times in the back and thigh. Mr. Ventura died as a result of the stab wounds.
Defendant Khalil Moses pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree and was sentenced to 21 years in prison in September 2020. John Pichardo pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree and was sentenced in July 2020 to 15 years in prison. Jose Pichardo was found guilty at trial of murder in the second degree and was sentenced to 18 years-to-life in prison in October 2021.
Deputy Bureau Chief Timothy J. Regan, of Felony Trial Bureau IV, prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Karen Rankin, Bureau Chief, and Robert Ferino, Deputy Bureau Chief and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Pishoy Yacoub of the Trial Division. Press Release.