Faizal Coto, 33, was beaten to death near the Verrazzano Bridge in New York City in December 2018
The mother of a New York firefighter beaten to death by a gang member after a minor collision of their cars sobbed in court on Friday as her son’s killer was sentenced to 25 years to life.
Judge Vincent Del Giudice, sentencing 33-year-old Joseph Desmond, said he was a dangerous, unrepentant individual who should spend the rest of his life behind bars.
‘It is this court’s earnest hope and desire that you never, ever be released from prison,’ Del Giudice said.
Desmond murdered Faizal Coto, 33, on December 9, 2018, near the Verrazzano Bridge which links Staten Island to Brooklyn.
Coto, a three-year veteran of the FDNY, bumped into Desmond’s car and pulled over to exchange insurance information.
Desmond approached Coto, struck him in the head with a heavy object, and fled – later being arrested at a New Jersey motel.
Coto later died from multiple skull fractures.
Joseph Desmond, 33, was a member of the Latin Kings gang, prosecutors said, from Staten Island. He was previously convicted for attacking a gay man with a stun gun
Desmond is seen being brought into court on Friday for sentencing
Ishmael Coto, the brother of Faizal Coto, told his killer that it ‘been a struggle to live in a world without my brother’
Faizal and Ishmael Coto’s mother breaks down in tears in court on Friday, as her son spoke of the damage Faizal’s murder had caused
Ishmael Coto is seen outside court in Brooklyn on Friday, after his brother’s killer was sentenced
Coto’s brother on Friday told the court in Brooklyn how Faizal was their mother’s rock, describing him as a kind and generous person dedicated to his family.
‘Since December 9, 2018, it has been a struggle to live in a world without my brother,’ said Ishmael Coto.
‘Today you turn 33 years old, and that’s the same age my brother was when you took his life.’
Struggling to hold back his emotion, Ishmael smiled as he called his brother ‘a mama’s boy’, who doted over their mother.
‘You took away someone who meant the world to so many people,’ Coto said.
‘You took away our moments. You took away a mother’s favorite son. Faizal was a mama’s boy. And his goal in life was to take care of his mom and to make sure she was always happy and set in life.’
Coto’s mother wiped away tears while her son spoke.
‘Faizal was an amazing soul,’ Coto added.
Faizal Coto was a three-year veteran of the FDNY, and was based in Coney Island
Faizal Coto, far right, is seen with his FDNY colleagues. Many attended his funeral in 2018
Prosecutors say Desmond was a gang member from Staten Island, who was once convicted on hate crimes charges for attacking a gay man with a stun gun.
Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn district attorney, described Desmond as a callous killer.
‘Not only did he assault him and injure him, but he left him lying on the side of the road without calling for help, calling for assistance,’ he said.
‘That was a true mark of cowardice.’
In his statement, Desmond disputed the evidence and showed no remorse.
‘I object to this trial in its entirety,’ Desmond said.
The judge was angered by Desmond’s attitude.
‘Not only have you deprived the victim, the family of a son, a brother and uncle, but you deprived the people of this city of a person who’s dedicated to responding to their need for help and assistance in times of crisis,’ he said.
‘I can deter you from harming other people by keeping you in prison for the remainder of your life and that’s precisely what I’m going to do.’
Faizal Coto’s mother and brother walk into the Brooklyn Supreme Court on Friday, ahead of sentencing, and supported by Faizal’s former colleagues
Coto’s mother and father are seen outside court in Brooklyn on Friday
Coto’s colleagues – who turned out in large numbers for his Coney Island funeral, even though he was off-duty – were present in court for sentencing.
‘Faizal Coto was a great, selfless man, loved by all that knew him, an asset to his family, his friends and fellow firefighters, an asset to New York City,’ said Andrew Ansbro of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.
‘His loss is lost to all of us.’
