Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
First Conviction Reached in Michael Sandy Murder Trial
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Oct 6, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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
Dave Hogarty
Published Oct 6, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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
John Fox was found guilty of manslaughter in the killing of Michael Sandy. Fox was convicted on charges of a hate crime and manslaughter, but not murder, for chasing Michael Sandy onto the Belt Parkway where he was fatally struck by a car. Three men are on trial for Sandy's killing: John Fox, Ilya Shurov, and Michael Fortunato. A fourth man, Michael Timmins, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for his testimony. Fox was being tried alongside Fortunato, albeit with separate juries. Fortunato's defense involves a claim that his innocence is tied to his newly-announced gay status.
John Fox drove to a remote location in Brooklyn with Sandy for a meeting orchestrated by Fortunato. Upon arrival, Sandy was allegedly attacked by the group and chased onto the Belt Parkway, where he was struck by a car. Fox's lawyer argued that the real criminal in the case was the driver of the car that struck Sandy. He also argued that Fox was simply trying to rob Sandy, in the manner that a concession worker at Yankee Stadium robs a customer by charging $10 for a beer.
The convicted man's father previously stressed that his son was neither gay, nor a racist [Sandy was black]. Yesterday he said that if he could trade his life for Michael Sandy's, he'd be glad to do so. 20-year-old John Fox will be sentenced October 24th. Sandy's parents were present yesterday for the announcement. The Times writes that "they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied." The jury deciding Michael Fortunato's verdict will reconvene after the weekend.
Tagged
belt parkway
brooklyn
crime
fox
gay
hate crime
Ilya Shurov
John Fox
Michael Fortunato
Michael Sandy
Michael Timmins
murder
racist
the times
yankee stadium
Dave Hogarty
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
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 .