Tracey murder trial begins

The murder trial began last week for a Valley Stream man accused of killing his stepmother. William Tracey, 27, was charged in the March 2009 death of Denise Tracey, who was 42.

A jury heard opening arguments on June 3 at the Nassau County Courthouse before Judge Meryl Berkowitz. Assistant District Attorney Christopher Holbrook said he believes the evidence will proved that William Tracey committed the crime. Tracey’s defense attorney, Joseph Lo Piccolo, countered that the evidence is circumstantial and that the prosecution’s star witness lacks credibility.

Prosecutors allege that William Tracey had a heated argument with his stepmother at their Dartmouth Street home in the early-morning hours of March 28, 2009, and that the argument turned violent and he beat her to death. Then, Holbrook said, Tracey tied up his stepmother’s body, placed her in a bag and left it in a dumpster a few block away. Denise Tracey’s body was found on Sunday afternoon, March 29, behind a deli on Dubois Avenue.

Denise was married to William Tracey’s father, Paul. Their bedroom, along with those of Paul’s sons Scott and Andrew, was on the top floor of the three-level home. William’s room was in the basement, which is why authorities say the rest of the family did not hear the argument. 

Holbrook discussed the evidence that jurors will consider during the trial. A search of William’s car turned up bungee cords and bandanas, which prosecutors say were used to tie up Denise’s body. Additionally, a surveillance video from a municipal parking lot shows what appears to be William’s car driving toward the dumpster at around 3:20 a.m. on March 28, and returning in the direction of the Tracey house a few minutes later.

Denise’s blood was found spattered on cardboard boxes outside William Tracey’s room, the prosecutor said, and his DNA was also found on a towel that was wrapped around her body.