Nassau Man Convicted In Brutal Murder Of 73-Year-Old Grandmother

LEVITTOWN, NY — A Levittown man was convicted today of the brutal murder of a 73-year-old grandmother during a home invasion in 2017.

Benjamin Lopez, 27, was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree assault, second-degree robbery, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.

He is due back in court for sentencing on Sept. 13, and faces up to life in prison.

“Laraine Pizzichemi’s life was horrifically extinguished when Benjamin Lopez hacked and slashed her repeatedly with a machete for simply being present as he and Deangelo Gill robbed her grandson,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Pizzichemi was slight and frail, having undergone chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, and unable to fight for her life against the vicious attack. For this ruthless crime, Lopez will likely spend the rest of his life in a prison cell. I thank the jury for their verdict, ensuring justice for Laraine Pizzichemi and her family.”

According to Donnelly, on Sept. 13, 2017, Lopez and his partner, Deangelo Gill, broke into a home on Newbridge Road in Levittown to seek revenge on Mark Depperman. They planned to steal his marijuana and money.

Once inside the house, they ran into Depperman's grandmother, 73-year-old Laraine Pizzichemi. Lopez hacked her to death with a machete, then the two went through the home looking for money and drugs.

Depperman returned home while Gill and Lopez were still there. The two attacked him, and Lopez slashed his arm with a machete. He also threatened Depperman with a handgun, demanding money from a safe. Depperman opened the safe, and the two took cash and marijuana.

Officials say Depperman was able to call 911 before his phone was taken and smashed on the ground, but the call went through. Lopez and Gill fled out the back door of the house as police responded. They fled to Lopez's house, which was around the corner. They were both arrested as they tried to flee in Lopez's car.

Gill pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Dec. 4, 2019. He was sentenced to 17 years to life in prison.