By Philip Newman
A Queens jury has found a 57-year-old man guilty of murder in the slaying of a man who was shot in the head as he drove a car along Grand Central Parkway more than 25 years ago.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown identified the defendant as Kevin Smith of 1324 Lexington Ave. in Manhattan.
After a weeklong trial, a jury found Smith guilty of second-degree murder.
Supreme Court Justice Gregory Lesak set sentencing for Jan. 18, when Smith faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
“The defendant — with cold-hearted precision — fired a single shot into the back of the victim’s head, then jumped out of the car to fire several more standing beside the driver’s door,” said Brown.
According to testimony at the trial, the defendant sat in the back seat of a Dodge station wagon being driven by the victim, Frank Sestak, 45.
A third man, David Hammerstone, 47, sat in the front passenger seat.
Shortly after pulling over onto on westbound shoulder of the Grand Central Parkway near 68th Avenue, the defendant fired a revolver into the car, striking Sestak in the neck, head and shoulder.
Brown said that according to trial records, Hammerstone also shot the victim and in October he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and faces up to 12 years in prison when sentenced Dec. 1.
