PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release on July 28, 2006

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov

D.A. Donovan: Guilty Plea to Murder in January ‘06 Fatal DWI Crash That Killed S.I. Teen
John Sambuco, 21, Pleads Guilty to Charge of 2nd Degree Murder in January 10th Incident Which Claimed the Life of 18 year-old Mariana Edkins

      STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that John Sambuco (DOB: 8/16/1984), of Lucille Avenue, Staten Island, has entered a guilty plea to the top-count of Murder in the 2nd Degree, for a January 10, 2006 incident in which the defendant operated a motor vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, that collided head-on with another vehicle, killing its’ passenger, 18 year-old Mariana Edkins and injuring the driver, also age 18. The defendant was traveling without his headlights on in the wrong lane of traffic at a rate of speed between 60 to 80 miles per hour. Sambuco will be sentenced to a period of 15 years to life in prison at his August 21, 2006 sentencing date. He will also be sentenced concurrently for a violation of probation for a 2001 case in which he was granted youthful offender status.

     District Attorney Donovan stated, “This case should give serious pause to anyone thinking of getting behind the wheel after drinking. A drunk driver cost this community the life of Marianna Edkins and brought untold anguish to her family and friends. That driver, at age 21, is now a convicted murderer who will spend a significant portion of his life in prison for his actions that night. If this case is not a deterrent to this type of reckless behavior, I am at a loss to what is. I cannot describe any more tragic circumstances for all involved.”

     The defendant, whose Blood Alcohol Content was .15 and was also found to be under the influence of Xanax, was charged by a Grand Jury indictment in January with one felony count each of Murder and Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree, two felony counts each of Assault in the 1st and 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree, Operating a Motor Vehicle While under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, and one misdemeanor charge of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree.

      The proceeding took place in State Supreme Court, St. George, before Judge Leonard P. Rienzi .The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mario Mattei, Chief of the Investigations Bureau and ADA Janet Silvers, Deputy Bureau Chief. John Sambuco is represented by Louis Diamond, Esq.

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