Peter Zisopoulos, suspect in killing of FDNY EMS Capt. Alison Russo, is unfit to stand trial, psychological experts say

Two court-appointed psychological experts found an Astoria man with a history of mental illness is unfit to stand trial for the 2022 fatal stabbing of FDNY EMS Capt. Alison Russo, officials said on Tuesday.

The experts who assessed Peter Zisopoulos, 36, made their separate findings after State Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant in Queens issued an emergency order for a review of the defendant’s mental capacity.

Pandit-Durant scheduled further hearings with psychological experts for Wednesday and then she will make a final decision on the defendant's mental fitness and whether a trial can proceed. Pandit-Durant said in court Tuesday that jury selection was to begin on Monday, but that the defense had indicated that Zisopoulos showed signs of disorganized thinking and indicated he didn’t want to cooperate with his attorneys.

Under state criminal procedure, a court can determine that a defendant found unfit to stand trial should be committed for a period of time to a facility for observation and treatment.

Zisopoulos, of Astoria, faces second-degree murder and weapons-possession charges stemming from the Sept. 29, 2022, stabbing death of Russo, of Huntington, on an Astoria street corner. Defense attorneys have said in court that Zisopoulos was diagnosed as schizophrenic in 2008.

In a recent statement to Newsday, Neophyta Zisopoulos, the defendant’s mother, said her son had mental health issues.

Defense attorney Jonathan Latimer left court Tuesday without commenting about the newest psychological findings. Zisopoulos’ earlier defense attorney Wilson LaFaurie, now retired, recently told Newsday that his client during interviews with police had denied stabbing Russo and had said that the video evidence was a fabrication made to resemble him.

The latest psychological assessments of Zisopoulos were conducted by experts Fiona Radcliffe and Alan Perry. Specifics of the findings weren't disclosed in court on Tuesday. Past assessments have found Zisopoulos both fit and unfit, court records showed.

Outside the courtroom, Russo’s daughter Danielle Fuoco, of Shoreham, said she understood the legal process takes time.

"Unfortunately, it is not going to bring her back," said Fuoco, whose mother volunteered for years with the Huntington Community First Aid Squad.

About two dozen EMS staffers were in court Tuesday to show support for Fuoco.

"It is equally important for us to show up for Alison’s family so that she knows that her family is much larger and we haven’t forgotten her," said Anthony Almojera, a vice president of Uniformed EMS Officers union Local 3621.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Zisopoulos could face a prison term of 25 years to life.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.