Ian Kazer stabbed his mother 47 times and assaulted father after fight over work place theft
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce A. Smith announced that a Syosset man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his mother’s killing and the attempted murder of his father at his parents’ home in 2019.
Ian Kazer, 31, was convicted on June 3, 2021 in a bench trial before Judge Angelo Deligatti of manslaughter in the first degree (a B violent felony), attempted murder in the second degree (a B violent felony), assault in the second degree (a D violent felony), and grand larceny in the fourth degree (an E felony). He was sentenced today to 16 years in prison.
The NCDA prosecuted the case as a murder. The Court rendered a verdict of conviction for manslaughter in the first degree and apparently accepted that Kazer acted under an extreme emotional disturbance. The ADA recommended the maximum sentence of 25 years and stated at sentencing the prosecution’s position that the defendant’s violent reaction makes him a grave risk to society.
“Ian Kazer’s parents tried to help him after he was fired and arrested for stealing from his job. But that evening, in a fit of rage, the defendant attacked and killed his own mother and tried to kill his father,” Acting DA Smith said. “This case was and continues to be a true tragedy.”
Acting DA Smith said in March 2019, Kazer, who lived in his parent’s home in Syosset, began stealing gift cards from his job at a local Target and used the cards to purchase and send electronics – including a television – to his home. Kazer had initially told his parents that he had won a $500 gift card from work, but on March 20, 2019, Kazer was fired from his job and given a desk appearance ticket for stealing more than $2,500 from the work place.
When Kazer told his parents that he was fired and given a criminal summons the family had an argument. Kazer agreed to return the items and hire a lawyer.
That evening, Kazer’s father left the home to pick up a pizza for dinner. At approximately 9 p.m., Kazer approached his mother at the kitchen table and stabbed her 47 times – in the head, throat, chest and hands. Kazer then took off his bloodied clothes and covered his mother’s body with a blanket.
When his father returned home, the defendant attacked him with a knife – stabbing him in the chest. The father was able to wrestle the knife away from his son, who fled the scene.
Kazer was found by police approximately a mile from the house and placed under arrest.
Frances Kazer was transported to Nassau University Medical Center and pronounced dead. The father was treated for his injuries.
Senior Litigation Counsel Nicole Aloise of the Homicide Bureau prosecuted the case. The defendant is represented by Daniel Russo, Esq.
###