Our Views: A ‘despicable’ killer gets life

The Island Now

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Jerald Carter showed not an ounce of pity last week when he sentenced convicted cop killer Darrell Fuller to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“You, despicable you, are not going to see the light of day henceforth or forever,” he said. “There is absolutely nothing redeemable about you. You have taken it upon yourself to be God and executioner on the street.”

Fuller got what he deserves. 

In broad daylight he executed 29-year-old Nassau County Police Officer Arthur Lopez. Minutes later this animal, who was on parole for violent crimes, shot Raymond Facey to death as he stole his car.

The case is a poignant reminder of the dangers that our law enforcement officers face every day. 

Fuller was being pulled over in Bellerose Terrace for a hit-and-run fender bender. Lopez had no way of knowing what he was walking into when he approached the driver’s window. 

Although we take no joy at the thought of a 34-year-old man spending the rest of his life in prison, we’ll save our compassion for the families of his victims.

Sadly even the toughest sentence is likely to bring little comfort to the families of the victims in a crime such as this. 

“We can’t bring daddy back …” said a daughter of Facey. Outside the court, Facey’s widow asked for prayers and said her family would be “forever broken.”

We applaud the police who apprehended Fuller and the prosecutors who convinced a jury of his guilt. 

At the same time we wonder why the parole board thought he was a good risk.

And we are haunted by the empty expression of the killer as he listened to the tearful testimony of the families and the sentence of the judge who found him “despicable.”

Share this Article