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Off-duty NYPD transit officer Richard DiGuglielmo was involved in an altercation with his victim, Charlie Campbell, in Dobbs Ferry in October 1996 when Campbell parked in the “patrons only” section of DiGuglielmo’s father’s deli before heading across the street to a different eatery.
DiGuglielmo was convicted of gunning down Campbell, though he maintained his innocence, claiming that he fired his gun to protect his family. DiGuglielmo had his conviction tossed out in 2008, but it was reinstated by an appeals court in 2010.
In a statement reported by the New York Post, DiGuglielmo said, “I wish that events didn’t reach the point where I had to make a fateful decision. For that, I am deeply and forever remorseful, and wish to God it would not have happened.”
Since his arrest and incarceration, a website has been started on behalf of DiGuglielmo, and a petition supporting his parole has garnered more than 5,250 signatures.
“Richard DiGuglielmo while in prison attended a number of vocational courses, worked in the kitchen and library. Despite being a former Police Officer in the general population of maximum security prisons, Richard has an exemplary disciplinary record as an inmate, with good relationships with prisoners and Correctional employees,” the petition states.
“Richard DiGuglielmo has a clean criminal record prior to and after the incident that occurred on Oct. 3, 1996. This includes the two year time period of 2008 to 2010, when Richard was freed from prison. Richard has an exemplary record while incarcerated.
"Richard also has extensive support from family, friends and the community, to help assure a smooth transition to life outside of prison. Richard has expressed remorse and accepted responsibility, for the incident that resulted in the death of Charles Campbell.”
DiGuglielmo has served nearly 20 years at the Eastern New York Correctional Facility in Ulster County. He was granted his parole by the state Parole Board on Sept. 11 and is scheduled to be released from prison on Jan. 7 next year.
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