Crime & Safety
Ex-Boyfriend Indicted After Shooting Death Of LI Woman Found By Mom In Car: DA
He was trying to collect money she reportedly owed him, the DA says.
MORICHES, NY — A Ridge man was indicted Wednesday after reportedly shooting his former girlfriend to death in a dispute over owed money, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.
He mother found her daughter's body in a car outside their Moriches apartment, Suffolk County police said.
James Quininchetta, 40, was indicted on a second-degree murder charge, among other offenses, in connection with the fatal shooting of Rebecca Roth, 33, of Moriches, the DA said.
Find out what's happening in Center Moriches-Eastportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to the investigation, on June 6 at around 12:30 a.m., Quininchetta reportedly traveled by ride-share service to Roth’s residence, located in the Heatherwood apartment complex, to try to collect money the victim allegedly owed him, Tierney said.
When he approached, she reportedly refused to pay him back, Tierney said. Quininchetta then fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun at Roth seven times while she was inside her parked vehicle and fled the scene, the DA said.
Find out what's happening in Center Moriches-Eastportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A forensic examination would later reveal that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her torso; after the shooting, the defendant reportedly discarded the weapon and ammunition before returning to his residence via ride-share service, Tierney said.
When Suffolk County Police responded to the scene, they recovered the murder weapon, which was found abandoned near a pickup truck in an adjacent parking lot, the DA said.
The department’s K-9 unit also located a gray fanny pack containing ammunition in a wooded area near the complex exit; further investigation recovered ammunition packaging and spent shell casings, Tierney said.
On June 7, shortly after midnight, Quininchetta voluntarily surrendered at the Suffolk County Police Department's Seventh Precinct in Shirley, the DA said.
Quininchetta was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Timothy Mazzei, for one count of second-degree murder, a Class A felony, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony, the DA said.
Justice Mazzei ordered that Quininchetta be remanded during the pendency of the case, Tierney said.
Quininchetta is due back in court on July 30 and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted
on the top count, the DA said.
He is being represented by George Duncan, who could not immediately be reached for comment.
"What was, at most, a minor financial dispute escalated to a senseless act of violence," Tierney said. "Our office will seek justice for Rebecca Roth and her family."Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
