File Photo
Horton killed victim Ricardo Cruz in front of 21-50 Mott Ave.
By Forum Staff
A homeless man, convicted in the brutal beating of his 57-year-old victim has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Danthony A. Horton, 36, of no known address, was sentenced following a manslaughter conviction in the savage beating death of Ricardo Cruz back in May 2016.
Cruz – who was already laying unconscious on the ground – was then repeatedly kicked in the head and left for dead by the defendant.
District Attorney Brown said, “This was a brutal and senseless act of violence. The victim had already been struck so hard by the defendant that he was unconscious and laying slumped on the ground. Although two male passers-by physically stopped the defendant from continuing his assault, the defendant returned to the scene and kicked the defenseless man repeatedly in the head. The Court has now sentenced the defendant to a lengthy term of incarceration.”
Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Deborah Stevens Modica, found the defendant guilty of first-degree manslaughter following a three-week long bench trial earlier this month, and sentenced Horton last Thursday, to 22 years in prison to be followed by five years’ post release supervision.
Trial testimony reveled that Horton punched the victim once in the face some time around 4 am in front of 21-50 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway. Cruz was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. Two men intervened and fought with Horton until he left the area, after which they propped the victim up against a store gate and left the scene. Minutes later, Horton returned and kicked Cruz in the head over and over again. He was taken to a local Queens hospital where he was pronounced dead. The defendant was apprehended two blocks away from the scene.
