A man accused of trying to run over Black Lives Matter demonstrators with his car after threatening them with a bladed glove in Queens in 2020 has been convicted of attempted murder, prosecutors said Monday.
Frank Cavalluzzi, 57, of Flushing, was convicted of nine counts of second-degree attempted murder, nine counts of first-degree attempted assault, seven counts of second-degree menacing, fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon and reckless driving on Friday, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a press release.
"A dangerous man is going to jail," Katz said in a statement. "It's a good day for New York and the First Amendment."
Prosecutors say a group of demonstrators were hanging Black Lives Matter signs and posters near the intersection of the Cross Island Parkway service road and Clintonville Street in Whitestone on June 2, 2020 when Cavalluzzi drove up to them, stopped his SUV across the street and began screaming at them.
After shouting “profanities and racial slurs” at the demonstrators, Cavalluzzi turned his vehicle around, got out and began chasing them while wearing a leather glove that had four blades attached to it, according to prosecutors.
Cavalluzzi then got back in his car, yelled "I will kill you" and drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk toward the demonstrators, prosecutors said.
Horrifying for #BlackLivesMatters protesters in Whitestone, #Queens. Man tried to run them over on Tuesday, it’s caught on video. 54-yr-old Frank Cavalluzzi arrested. He had blades on his arm. Charged with Reckless Endangerment, Menacing, Weapon Possession. Video from @siburpunk pic.twitter.com/gIaL29ZIbw
— Dean Meminger (@DeanMeminger) June 4, 2020
Cavalluzzi is set to be sentenced on Oct. 13, the Queens district attorney’s office said. He faces up to 25 years in prison for each count of attempted murder, according to the district attorney’s office.
"The world will see this case through a prism of politics, but I see it as a single man, with mental health challenges, struggling to understand the evolving city where we live," said criminal defense attorney Michael Horn, who is representing Cavalluzzi. "It's a very sad situation."