QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the conviction of Frank Cavalluzzi, 57, on charges of attempted murder following his attack on peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstrators in June 2020. Cavalluzzi was found guilty of attacking the demonstrators with a glove featuring serrated blades and then attempting to run them over with his SUV on the sidewalk.
After a two-week trial, Cavalluzzi was convicted of nine counts of attempted murder in the second degree, nine counts of attempted assault in the first degree, seven counts of menacing in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, and reckless driving. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michelle A. Johnson set the sentencing date for October 13. Cavalluzzi could face up to 25 years in prison for each count of attempted murder.
According to evidence presented at trial, the incident occurred on June 2, 2020, at approximately 3:45 p.m., at the intersection of the Cross Island Parkway service road and Clintonville Street in Whitestone. A group of demonstrators were displaying signs and posters in support of Black Lives Matter when Cavalluzzi, in his SUV, confronted them with racial slurs and profanities. He then made a U-turn, exited the vehicle wearing the bladed glove, and chased the demonstrators. Following this, he re-entered his vehicle, threatened the demonstrators, and drove onto the sidewalk aiming at them.
Detective Justin Hubbard of the New York City Police Department’s 109th Precinct Detective Squad led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexia Campoverde, under the supervision of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau.
District Attorney Katz stated that Cavalluzzi’s conviction means a dangerous man is going to jail and referred to it as a good day for New York and the First Amendment.