Nicholas Gianquitti convicted of second-degree murder
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Gianquitti Convicted Of Murder
Nicholas Gianquitti is found guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of a neighbor.
Nicholas Gianquitti testified in his own defense during the trial.
Published: April 1, 2009
Updated: April 1, 2009
PROVIDENCE—A former Providence police officer was convicted of second-degree murder Wednesday in the fatal shooting of his neighbor in Cranston.
Nicholas Gianquitti never denied he shot James Pagano, a Cranston firefighter, after a May 2008 argument turned violent.
Gianquitti was also convicted of a gun charge. Jurors reached their verdict during the second day of deliberations in Providence Superior Court.
“It’s a very huge sense of relief, said Adriana Pagano, the victim’s widow. “It doesn’t bring my husband back, but justice was served. Now my children will feel safe in our home knowing that he won’t be able to come back there.“
Pagano was killed after he confronted Gianquitti for cursing at his children during a birthday party. Gianquitti had chastised the children when a stray tennis ball struck his wife’s parked car.
Gianquitti testified that he pulled the trigger in self-defense after Pagano came to his door and punched him in the face.
“Mr. Gianquitti is devastated by this verdict. His wife and daughter are crushed as well. We felt that we had a strong self defense case in that Mr. Gianquitti was assaulted in his home,“ defense attorney Mark Dana said in a statement e-mailed to NBC 10.
Dana said the defense would wait for the court’s ruling on post-trial motions before deciding whether to appeal.
Gianquitti is being held pending sentencing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Reader Reactions
“The arrogance of a police officer who thought he was above the law. Unfortunately a lot of cops have this same attitude.“
He was not a police officer at the time, and for good reason. That is an ignorant statement.
angelssexxyeyez- I’ve had people yelling at me, but I sure never had the urge to shoot them in the back as they ran away. That isn’t self defense. That’s murder. He should consider himself lucky it’s only 2nd degree murder he was convicted of, not 1st.
let me just say . put yourself in his shoes . if someone angry and yelling somes at you in your home and you have a gun or knife in your hand your not going to defend yourself . in this day and age with the way kids kill there parents and mothers and fathers and friends just killing ppl because they are jelious, angry, hurt . i would have done the same thing i know justice wasen’t done in this case but i hope he knows better now .
The arrogance of a police officer who thought he was above the law. Unfortunately a lot of cops have this same attitude. Mr. Gianquitti got exactly what he deserved. But he is here and he may punish himself more than the court can, he has to at some point accept the fact that he was responsible for taking a mans life under petty circumstances.
I feel very sorry for everyone involved, but I think that the jury reached an appropriate verdict. The Defendant may have felt threatened by the presence of an angry neighbor at his door, but 1) he started the altercation that escalated to that point, and 2) use of ‘deadly force’ was HUGELY out of proportion to any threat he may have realistically felt.
It is just one more example of why having a loaded gun in a home is more dangerous to the innocent than to any criminal - even when the gun owner is a police officer!
I am glad that the man who shot the
Firefighter , is going to at least have to pay for what he did.
I am all for protecting yourself.
But thing’s like this is the reason,
I don’t like Gun’s.
If he was so afraid, he should not have answered the door and called 911.
It seem’s like so many people are solving small problem’s with a Gun.
Two familie’s have been hurt in this,
but the Firefighter’s family will never see their reletive again.
I wish people would “ THINK “ before they pull out such a deadly weapon.
My sympathy is with both Familie’s!
Hopefully people will see this and realize you can not solve a problem, by adding Violence.
Let’s just hope this is an eye-opener!
Imagine, two families lives are ruined over a tennis ball hitting a car.
tough call murder is murder it is just sad for both
I don’t think a celebration is ever in order for 2 lives and 2 families ruined for both being hot heads
Let me be the first to sat….
Woooo Whooooo!!!!!
GOOD!
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