Nassau Man Indicted In Rage-Fueled Slaying Of Wife

LEVITTOWN, NY — A grand jury has indicted a Levittown man accused of shooting his wife to death during an argument in their bedroom and then trying to kill his brother-in-law at their home.

As Patch previously reported, Cheryl DiNapoli, 61, of Cord Lane, was found dead the night of Aug. 13. She had been arguing with her husband, Thomas, in their bedroom when he shot her in the neck and eye with a 9 mm rifle at close range, prosecutors said.

Cheryl DiNapoli's younger brother, who was also living at the home, rushed to help his sister and a struggle ensued over the rifle, authorities said. The brother eventually wrestled it away from Thomas DiNapoli, who went downstairs to a safe in the garage, grabbed a shotgun and shot his brother-in-law in the right arm, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. The brother-in-law was behind a door when he was struck.

The men fought in the home and the struggle continued onto the front lawn where the brother-in-law wrestled away the shotgun.

Cheryl DiNapoli died at the home. Her brother is recovering from his wounds.

On Tuesday, Thomas DiNapoli, 68, appeared in court on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault. He remains jailed and is expected to appear in court Nov. 24. If convicted, DiNapoli could face a prison sentence of up to 50 years to life.

“The allegations in this case represent the worst form of intimate partner violence,” Singas said in a statement.