Say Man Pummeled To Death While Trying To Aid Neighbor

Coming to the assistance of a neighbor in need proved to be a fatal decision for a Long Island City man who was allegedly punched and kicked to death by a resident of a local homeless shelter last Wednesday evening, Sept. 3, it was reported.

Police said that 67-year-old Nicholas Nowillo was reportedly attacked by 43-year-old Eric Cherry near the victim's Crescent Street home as he ventured outside to check on another resident.

Cherry, who resides at the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence at 21-10 Borden Ave., was caught a short time after the beatdown and is currently being held on manslaughter charges, said the Queens District Attorney's office.

Reportedly, the trouble began at around 10:40 p.m. last Wednesday night near Nowillo's home on Crescent Street near 39th Avenue in the Dutch Kills section of the neighborhood.

According to published reports, the victim was alerted by a neighbor to a man who was observed peering into several cars parked along the roadway.

After being confronted by the victim, police said, Cherry allegedly grabbed hold of him and threw him to the ground, then punched and kicked him multiple times. Following the assault, the perpetrator reportedly fled from the scene.

Members of the 114th Precinct responded to the scene along with EMS units, who transported Nowillo to Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, where he later died of his injuries.

Based on the results of an autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, law enforcement sources said, it was determined that Nowillo died from injuries sustained in the attack, including nine fractured ribs and blunt trauma.

Reportedly, Cherry was caught by police several blocks away from the crime scene and was initially charged with felony assault. Law enforcement sources noted the charges were upgraded after the cause of death was determined.

The suspect is charged with firstdegree manslaughter and assault in the first- and third-degrees.

Cherry was arraigned on Saturday, Sept. 6 in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Joseph Latella, who ordered him held in custody on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 22.

If convicted, the perpetrator faces up to 25 years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by the 114th Precinct Detective Squad, police said. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Teri Ann M. Puliafico of the District Attorney's Homicide Investigations Bureau, which is supervised by Peter Reese, bureau chief, and Peter J. McCormack, deputy bureau chief.