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Jose Luis Gracesqui Sentenced to Life for Murder-For-Hire
A cold-case murder of a 28-year-old Manhattan man has been solved, and the perpetrator brought to justice. Jose Luis Gracesqui, a 46-year-old man from Queens, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murder.
A jury convicted Gracesqui of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire, and murder in connection with a narcotics conspiracy. The crime took place on July 19, 1999, when Gracesqui shot and killed Richard Diaz, a driver who was with the intended victim, a customer of a major drug dealer in Upper Manhattan.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Gracesqui was hired by the major drug dealer to kill the customer after he and his associates stole heroin from the dealer. Gracesqui and a member of his crew followed the intended victim through Manhattan, and when they stopped at a red light, Gracesqui got out of the car and began shooting.
U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel presided over the three-week jury trial and imposed the life sentence. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara praised the investigative work of the DEA and the NYPD, saying, "Thanks to the efforts of the dedicated agents, detectives, and prosecutors who never gave up, this cold-case murder of an innocent 28-year-old man has been solved and the perpetrator brought to justice."
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Laurie A. Korenbaum, Brendan F. Quigley, and Rebekah Donaleski are in charge of the prosecution.
Gracesqui is also known as Luis Perez, Ramon Ortiz, Onel Colon, and Muffler. His sentencing brings to a close a tragic and senseless crime that had gone unsolved for nearly two decades.
The family of Richard Diaz may finally find some measure of peace now that justice has been served.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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