A Florida man has been indicted in New York in connection with a 15-year-old cold case murder of his uncle, as revealed by the Queens District Attorney's Office. Anthony Scalici, 41, was indicted on a second-degree murder charge after investigators matched his DNA from a plastic fork he discarded at the crime scene.
The victim, Rosario Prestigiacomo, 64, was found stabbed to death in his Queens home back in 2009. The case had remained unsolved until February of this year when DNA from the crime scene was linked to Scalici through a utensil found in Florida, with the assistance of public genealogy databases. The District Attorney's office reported that Prestigiacomo had been stabbed 16 times and beaten with a shovel before his death.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the significance of this case, noting that it marks the first time a homicide suspect has been identified and arrested in New York City with the aid of public genealogy databases. Katz expressed her commitment to seeking justice for victims and their families through the efforts of the Cold Case Unit she established.
Scalici, who pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to appear in court on July 8. His lawyer confirmed his plea and indicated that he will continue to defend his client. The case underscores the dedication and persistence of investigators in solving cold cases and highlights the successful collaboration between the District Attorney's office and the NYPD Cold Case Squad.
