Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Convicted Co-op City Killer Tries To Escape During Sentencing
By
Jen Chung
Published May 6, 2011
Modified May 6, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 6, 2011
Modified May 6, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After a judge sentenced him to 90 years to life in prison, the man convicting of killing a former boss Co-op City leaped from his chair. Paulino Valenzuela was also screaming, "Please let me go!" but five to seven court officers jumped on top of him.
Back in 2007, Valenzuela went to Co-op City, where he had previously worked as a janitor (he was fired and then unsuccessfully sued to get his job back), and shot ex-supervisor Audrey Bent and wounded two other people (one is now paralyzed). Then he went to the Bronx Criminal Court building, where he confessed, "Cuff me, because I just killed somebody. I have my revolver in my bag, and I have the blood on my hands to prove it."
The Daily News reports that Judge Alvin Yearwood scolded Valenzuela, "You have no remorse. That's why this sentencing is going to be very easy... Sir, you will have 90 years to life to think about what you did." A lawyer for Valenzuela, who claimed that Bent attacked him first, says he will appeal.
Tagged
bronx
co-op city
murder conviction
paulino valenzuela
sentence
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .