An ex-convict could spend the rest of his life behind bars for attacking a South Ozone Park priest with a cane, just days after he was released from prison on a prior conviction for burning the priest’s church to the ground.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced on Thursday, March 12 that 49-year-old Calvin Bostick was sentenced to 13.5 years to life for attacking Reverend Christopher Ezeoke of St. Anthony of Padua, in South Ozone Park.
Bostick pleaded guilty to the February 23, 2007 attack this January.
In a statement, Brown said the defendant approached Ezeoke from behind, in front of the 133-25 128th Street rectory, striking him repeatedly in the head and on the arms with a cane. The charges state that Bostick pushed Ezeoke into the rectory, where he continued his attack.
Bostick, who is of no known address, had only been out of prison for 11 days on a prior conviction that he set fire to St. Anthony of Padua eight years earlier.
“Today’s sentence is more than warranted,” Brown said in a statement, adding, "The defendant has a long and violent criminal history.” According to Brown, Bostick faced “an enhanced penalty of life in prison” since, under the law, he is considered a persistent violent felony offender.
Reverend Ezeoke was out of town at the time of Bostick’s sentencing and St. Anthony of Padua did not wish to comment.
