Peter Zisopoulos pleads not guilty to murder, weapon charges in stabbing death of EMS Capt. Alison Russo
NEW YORK -- Peter Zisopoulos, the man accused in the stabbing death of EMS Capt. Alison Russo, went before a judge Thursday and pleaded not guilty to murder.
Dozens of EMS workers were at the Queens Criminal Courthouse for the court proceedings, CBS2's Nick Caloway reported.
Zisopoulos, 34, appeared in court virtually from Bellevue Hospital. He is charged with second degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the brutal stabbing and killing of Russo, 61, last week in Astoria.
Defense attorneys said Zisopoulos has a psychiatric history dating back to 2018.
"We believe that he doesn't understand the charges against him and we are asking for an exam," a defense attorney said.
But the many dozens of FDNY personnel who attended the hearing don't buy the mental health defense.
FDNY EMS Union President Vincent Variale pointed to graphic surveillance video of the attack on Russo, who was on the job at the time.
"Clearly you see he killed her. He murdered her. He knew what he did was wrong and ran away. You don't run away when you did something right," said Variale. "He ran away because he knew he did something wrong."
Russo, who was posthumously promoted to captain, was working alone when she was attacked. Union reps said the city needs to do more to protect first responders.
"The difference is, with an EMS lieutenant, we're responding to all those dangerous emergencies by ourselves. No partner, no driver, no aid. Why? Why is that happening? It is not only a safety issue for our members, it is a safety issue for the people of this city," said Variale.
Russo was laid to rest on Wednesday. She was a 25-year veteran of the FDNY and nearing retirement.
Zisopoulos will undergo more psychiatric evaluations and is due back in court on Nov. 29. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
