Teen Given 19 Years To Life For Setting Mattress Fire That Killed Cop In Coney Island
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A teenager who set a deadly mattress fire in Brooklyn learned his fate on Tuesday.
Marcell Dockery confessed to setting the fire in 2014, that killed a police officer.
As CBS2's Ali Bauman reported, there was a standing ovation from dozens of NYPD officers after Dockery was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for murder.
Officer Dennis Guerra died in April 2014, after responding to a fire in Dockery's building.
"While it was Mr. Dockery's actions, there are others suffering the consequences," Cathy Guerra said.
In a videotaped confession, Dockery admitted to setting a mattress on fire inside of a Coney Island public housing complex because he was bored.
His lawyer said the confession was coerced.
"He does not have to acknowledge guilt at this point or any time in his life. He is innocent, and he will appeal," Jesse Young said.
Letters of love and loss from Guerra's sister and only son were read in court.
Dockery sat, seemingly emotionless, as Guerra's widow described how her family was forever changed.
"It pains me as I cry at night, and have to wake up and put a strong face for my family," she said.
To run concurrently with the murder sentence, Dockery was also sentenced to 15 years in prison for assault, and one-and-a-third years for arson.
The family said they will forgive Dockery, but officers said they will not forget.
"Nineteen years from today, when this mope wants parole these police officers won't forget then either," PBA head Pat Lynch said.
Immediately following the sentence, Dockery plead guilty to an attempted robbery incident from February 2014. He'll be back in court for that sentencing in August.
