By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Friday announced that Kevin Ogara was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly pushing his 60-year-old neighbor down a stairwell in their Astoria apartment building last month, causing fatal injuries.
Ogara, 58, has been charged with manslaughter in the first and second degrees, and criminally negligent homicide.
According to the charges and video surveillance footage:
On Nov. 3, at approximately 6:51 p.m., Rene Montalvo Peredo, 60, who appeared to be highly intoxicated, approached Ogara’s 4th-floor apartment, which was directly above his own, and entered through the unlocked door.
Photo Courtesy of DA Katz
DA Katz said Montalvo Peredo “was ruthlessly shoved down a flight of stairs to his death.”
Montalvo Peredo immediately left the apartment followed by Ogara, who pushed him. The men engaged in a discussion. Montalvo Peredo turned his back to Ogara, lifted up his hands, and walked toward the staircase.
Ogara followed Montalvo Peredo to the top of the stairs and pushed him.
First responders found Montalvo Peredo unresponsive on the stairwell landing. He was taken to a local hospital with a skull fracture, cerebral edema and a hypoxic brain injury. He died three days later on Nov. 6.
“We will argue that the victim was walking away from the defendant when he was ruthlessly shoved down a flight of stairs to his death. Attacked from behind, the victim was unable to defend himself. We will be standing up for him in court and seeking justice on his behalf,” Katz said.
If convicted, Ogara faces up to 25 years in prison.
