25 To Life For Man Who Killed Another Man At Backyard Party On LI: DA

AMITYVILLE, NY — A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Thursday after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and other related charges in June for killing a man at a backyard party in Amityville, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Paulin Cerisier, 29, of Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 25 years to life followed by five years of post-release supervision on Thursday for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend’s uncle, Maresse Dickerson-Stevenson, 41, of Amityville, at a house party in 2021, the DA said.

"While today’s sentence does not bring back Maresse Dickerson-Stevenson, it does ensure that there was justice for the victim and his family," Teirney said. "Far too often, lives are being lost or permanently altered due to violence. I will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue strong and fair prosecutions against those who endanger our communities."

According to evidence established at trial, on July 18, 2021, around 2:50 a.m., Cerisier drove to Amityville and joined a backyard party. Cerisier shot Dickerson-Stevenson unprovoked in the left shoulder and fled the scene, the DA said.

The victim was pronounced dead a short time later, the DA said.

On July 15, 2024, Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad arrested Cerisier at a hotel in Washington County, PA., the DA said.

On June 11, Cerisier was found guilty of one count of second-degree murder, a Class A felony, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Class C felonies, during a jury trial held before Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei, the DA said.

He is being represented by Christopher Gioe, who was not immediately available for comment.