By Bill Parry
A luxury Astoria apartment was turned into a crime scene Monday when an 18-year-old was arrested and charged with the murder of his roommate, authorities said.
Quentin Copobianco repeatedly bludgeoned attorney Jesse Smith, 29, to death with a hammer according to the criminal complaint filed by the Queens district attorney. Copobianco was charged with second-degree murder and possession of a weapon at his arraignment Tuesday evening, the DA said. Bail was set at $250,000 bond and $125,000 cash.
Police were called to the Exo Apartments at 26-38 21st St. at 3:30 p.m. where they found Smith with severe trauma to his head, the complaint said. He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center and pronounced DOA.
Capobianco told police that he was tied up with zip ties and held for eight hours, the New York Post reported. Smith tried to force him at gunpoint to liquidate his stocks to pay for damage to a wall and furniture that were caused by a mishap with their wall-mounted fireplace, the newspaper said.
Capobianco managed to slip his ties and allegedly attack Smith with the hammer, according to the complaint.
His next court date is on Jan. 30.
— Bill Parry
