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Candelario Cordova, age 54, of Huntington Station, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, May 14, in the killing of 58-year-old Roque Cisneros.
Emergency crews in Huntington Station were called on Feb. 16, 2023, with reports of an altercation outside a home near Oakwood Road, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
By the time officers arrived, they found 58-year-old Roque Cisneros and his wife suffering from multiple stab wounds outside their home.
Investigators said prior to the stabbings, Cisneros' wife had witnessed her husband in an altercation with Cordova, described as a co-worker and friend of Cisneros.
When she looked out her window, she saw that Cisneros was seated in the front passenger seat of an SUV and Cordova was trying to get him out of the vehicle, she told police.
Cordova eventually drove away with Cisneros inside the SUV and she followed in her own car, the woman told investigators. When they turned the corner onto Oakwood Road, Cordova stopped the SUV and retrieved a long knife from the trunk.
According to prosecutors, Cordova then opened the passenger side door and began stabbing Cisneros repeatedly in the beck and body. When the victim’s wife tried to intervene, Cordova began slashing and stabbing her.
The attack finally ended when several passing drivers stopped and subdued Cordova until Suffolk County Police arrived. Officers found the knife used in the attacks at the scene.
Cisneros died at the scene after suffering multiple stab wounds, prosecutors said. His wife was taken to Huntington Hospital for treatment of her wounds.
“Unfortunately, in addition to witnessing the trauma of her husband being stabbed to death by the defendant, the victim’s wife also endured her own horrific injuries during the defendant’s attack,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
“I hope that the defendant’s plea today brings some measure of closure and relief to the victim’s wife and family.”
In addition to manslaughter, Cordova pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder.
He is expected to receive 30 years in prison when he’s sentenced on Thursday, June 20.
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