Gousse Sentenced

Found guilty of Murder 1°, Judge gives Gousse life sentence

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced that Reginald Gousse, 32, found guilty of Murder in the First Degree in March, was sentenced by Judge Gerald Carter to life-in-prison for the January, 2005, killing of James Gottlieb in Franklin Square.  District Attorney Kathleen Rice echoed the judge’s call for the most severe sentence New York State allows and praised the family of the victim for their courage at the sentencing hearing today in Mineola.

“What this defendant has done has robbed an innocent family of their father, their husband,” said District Attorney Rice.  “I applaud Judge Carter’s decision and I was proud to stand with the victim’s family during this awful ordeal.”

In Mr. Guosse’s March trial, a Nassau County jury deliberated for less than four hours before convicting the defendant of murder, attempted robbery, and criminal impersonation, in connection with Mr. Gottlieb’s murder.  The Garden City South man was shot and killed after being pulled over in Franklin Square on his way home from work at a Cedarhurst bank by a vehicle he assumed to be driven by a police officer, though it was later proven to be the defendant disguised as a police officer, driving a vehicle altered to appear official.

“Anytime someone impersonates a police officer, with the intention to harm someone, it strikes fear in the hearts of law abiding citizens everywhere,” said Rice.  “We need to let everyone know what exactly to do if they feel at all uneasy about the identity of a law enforcement official.”

Rice issued the following tips for motorists:  “Slow down, put on your flashers, wave to the officer to let he or she know you’ve seen their demand, then pull into the first well-lit area you can find.  You may also call 911 before you pull over and verify your location and your situation before being confronted by the officer.”

ADA Fred Klein, Chief of the Major Offense Bureau, handled the case for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Gousse was represented by Martin Geduldig.

For more information on this case’s indictment, click here.

For more information on this case’s trial, click here.

For more information on this case’s verdict, click here.