Long Island man freed after admitting to killing teen in NYC
The trial of Gianluca Bordone, the Long Island man accused of killing New Jersey high school football player Rocco Rodden outside an ax-throwing bar in downtown Manhattan, came to a surprising conclusion as the jury acquitted Bordone of manslaughter and assault charges. Despite Bordone admitting to the fatal stabbing on the witness stand, he was able to convince the jurors that he acted in self-defense during the altercation outside the Live Axe nightclub in TriBeCa.
The three-week trial included testimonies from witnesses who recounted the drunken brawl that led to the tragic incident. Bordone, a 21-year-old event promoter from Oyster Bay, defended his actions by stating that he feared for his life when he stabbed Rodden in the heart as both groups of friends engaged in a violent confrontation.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Bordone inflicted a fatal wound on Rodden that tore through his rib cage and pierced his heart. However, Bordone’s attorney, Anthony Ricco, presented video evidence of the brawl to support his client’s claim that he was being attacked by Rodden’s group and acted out of self-preservation.
Bordone took the stand and recounted the events of that fateful night, expressing his fear of being overwhelmed and harmed by Rodden’s friends. He stated that he believed they would kill him if he did not defend himself with the pocket knife he carried.
The emotional testimony from Rodden’s family members, including his brother Anthony, who was also injured during the altercation, added a heartbreaking dimension to the trial. Anthony described the celebratory mood of the evening, as his younger brother and sister had gathered in the city for a reunion, only for the night to end in tragedy.
The jury deliberated for just four hours before delivering their verdict, acquitting Bordone of first-degree manslaughter charges that could have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office expressed their respect for the jury’s decision and extended their condolences to the Rodden family, who continue to mourn the loss of their loved one.
The outcome of the trial has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the interpretation of self-defense in this case. Bordone, a graduate of Roslyn High School, now faces the challenge of moving forward from this tragic event, while the Rodden family grapples with the devastating loss of Rocco.
