Leonard Reed, 47, will not be eligible for parole for 50 years
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Hempstead man was sentenced today to two consecutive 25-to-life sentences for the murder of his wife, Diane Reed, and the attempted murder of police officers who responded to the scene in February 2013.
Leonard Reed, 47, of Hempstead, was sentenced to a total of 50 years to life in prison by Acting Nassau Supreme Court Justice Alan Honorof. Reed was found guilty by a Nassau jury in February of the following grand jury charges:
• Murder in the 2nd Degree (an A-I felony)
• Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree (an A-I felony)• Two counts Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (a C violent felony)
• Aggravated Criminal Contempt (a D felony)• Criminal Contempt in the 1st Degree (an E felony)
• Three counts of Criminal Contempt in the 2nd Degree (an A misdemeanor)
“This was not a crime of passion. Mr. Reed repeatedly lashed out against his wife, pistol-whipped her, and drove her to seek a safe house to escape his murderous rage,” Acting DA Singas said. “This defendant was determined to take not only the life of his wife, but anyone – including police officers – who got in his way. I am grateful that this sentence assures that this defendant will spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
Acting DA Singas said that on Feb. 7, 2013 at 1:30 p.m., Reed appeared at his estranged wife’s Hempstead home and shot her several times with a semi-automatic firearm. When a member of the Hempstead Police Department responded to the residence, Reed fired at least two shots before the police officer retreated. A shootout ensued between Reed and additional police officers at the scene.
According to prosecutors, Reed fired additional shots at his wife, and then stabbed her repeatedly with a knife before surrendering to police.
Reed was arrested by Hempstead PD at 1:40 p.m.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Walsh of Acting DA Singas’ Major Offense Bureau is prosecuting the case. Reed is represented by Toni Marie Angeli, Esq.