Home / Crime and Justice / Ex-LAPD Officer Gets 20 Years for Killing Girlfriend's Son
Ex-LAPD Officer Gets 20 Years for Killing Girlfriend's Son
9 Sep
Summary
- Retired LAPD officer Thomas Case sentenced to 20 years for manslaughter.
- Case shot Anthony Cuozzo four times after alleged stabbing.
- Jury found Case acted under extreme emotional disturbance.
A 20-year sentence was handed down to Thomas Case, a retired Los Angeles police officer, for the first-degree manslaughter of Anthony Cuozzo, his girlfriend's 20-year-old son. The conviction stems from an October 2024 confrontation at Case's home in Dutchess County. Cuozzo allegedly stabbed Case with a pocket knife during a dispute. As Cuozzo departed, Case pursued him and fired four shots, resulting in Cuozzo sustaining three gunshot wounds.
Responding officers found both men injured. Cuozzo was pronounced dead at Vassar Brothers Hospital. Case, who had served 20 years with the LAPD and in the Marines, argued he feared for his life and acted in accordance with his training. Initially indicted for second-degree murder, a jury found Case guilty of manslaughter, citing extreme emotional disturbance as a mitigating factor.
While Case's criminal proceedings have concluded, he is involved in multiple civil lawsuits. These include a wrongful death suit filed by Cuozzo's father and two suits filed by Case seeking damages for alleged assault and emotional distress related to the incident and a subsequent alleged assault by Cuozzo's father. None of the civil cases have yet proceeded to trial.
