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Ade N’Gaii, age 39, of Harlem, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Kristopher Appel in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Feb. 24.
Prosecutors said N’Gaii and three others first drove to Appel’s home in Patchogue armed with a handgun in October 2018 to steal money and marijuana. However, they were unable to physically break into his house.
The group returned to Appel’s home on Nov. 2, 2018 while disguised as construction workers, according to prosecutors. Donning hard hats and reflective vests, the four broke into the home, where they brutally beat and stabbed Appel to death.
Suffolk County Police officers later discovered the man’s body in the front vestibule of his building.
Investigators were able to tie N’Gaii to the crime scene after recovering a reflective vest with his DNA on it, prosecutors said. Text messages to accomplices also placed him in the area at the time of the murder.
More than two years went by before N’Gaii was finally arrested in June 2021.
“The defendant took it upon himself to come into Suffolk County and murder this victim all so he could make money,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
“I thank the jury for their careful attention to the case, the police for their investigation, and our prosecutors for ensuring that justice is served. The jury’s verdict will ensure that the defendant is held responsible for this unnecessary death driven by greed.”
N’Gaii now faces up to 25 years in prison when he’s sentenced on Monday, March 27.
An accomplice to the killing, 41-year-old Omar Sam, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in May 2021. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, March 2.
Another accomplice, 29-year-old Joshua Rodriguez, pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy in November 2021. He is due to be sentenced on Thursday, March 2.
A third accomplice has not been identified or charged.
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