Reginald Gousse Trial Begins Today

Defendant on trial for January 2005 murder

MINEOLA, NY – Opening statements in the murder trial of Reginald Gousse are scheduled to begin today in Nassau County Court.  Mr. Gousse is on trial for the January, 2005, murder of James Gottlieb, 49, of Garden City South, in Franklin Square, New York.  He is being charged with Murder in the First Degree, a Class A Felony; Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A Felony; Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a Class C Felony; and Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

It is alleged that, on January 5, 2005, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Mr. Gottlieb was driving home from work on Semton Boulevard when he observed a black SUV with flashing lights behind him.  Mr. Gottlieb pulled over, exited his vehicle, and was confronted by the operator of the SUV, identified to be the defendant.  The defendant allegedly told Mr. Gottlieb to get on the ground and that he was under arrest.  Mr. Gottlieb demanded identification from the defendant.  Mr. Gottlieb then began moving toward the front door of 190 Semton Boulevard while the defendant allegedly fired three rounds, two of which struck Mr. Gottlieb in the arm and the leg.  Mr. Gottlieb was transported to Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 8:14 p.m.

A person is guilty of murder in the first degree when with the intent to cause the death of another person, he causes the death of such person and the victim was killed while the defendant was in the course of committing or attempting to commit and in the furtherance of robbery, burglary in the first degree or second degree (§125.27 Penal Law).

A person is guilty of murder in the second degree when with intent to cause the death of another person, he causes the death of such person and he commits or attempts to commit robbery in the first degree, and in the course of such crime he causes the death of a person; or under circumstances evinces a depraved indifference to human life, he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person, and thereby causes the death of another person (§125.25  Penal Law).

A person is guilty of attempted robbery in the first degree when he forcibly attempts to steal property and when, in the course of the commission of the crime, causes serious physical injury to anyone who is not a participant in the crime; or is armed with a deadly weapon (§160.15 Penal Law, §110.00 Penal Law).

A person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the first degree when he pretends to be a police officer, or expresses by his words or actions that he is acting with the approval or authority of any police department (§190.26 Penal Law).

If convicted of the charges, Mr. Gousse faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The trial is in front of Judge Jerald Carter, First Floor Center-East in the Main Building of the Nassau County Courthouse.

The case is being handled by the Bureau Chief of the Major Offense Bureau of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Assistant District Attorney Fred Klein.  Mr. Gousse is being represented by Martin Geduldig.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Age: 32

Address: 238-55 148^th Drive, Rosedale, NY

Charges: Murder 1°, Murder 2°, Attempted Robbery 1°, Criminal Impersonation 1°