By:Karenlyn Barone
Musso is the first of five defendants to have her day in court. According to police, all five, who have been arraigned on various charges related to Battaglia's murder, are Latin King gang members.
Musso pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and first-degree attempted robbery before Nassau County Court Judge Gerald Carter. The district attorney's office explained that a murder charge against Musso was dropped in exchange for her testimony. "Musso pled guilty to robbery in satisfaction of all charges," said Assistant District Attorney Michael Walsh, who is prosecuting the case. He also said that Musso could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison for the robbery charge.
According to a statement released by Dillon's office, "On September 19, 2003, Musso drove the get-away car for four individuals in the robbery of two Rockville Centre residents. Just three hours later, Musso again drove the get-away car after the four co-defendants brutally murdered Anthony Battaglia just steps from his Lynbrook home. Battaglia was on his way home from the Lynbrook train station when he was beaten, stabbed and shot by these four co-defendants."
The four remaining defendants, Fernando Moranta, Omar Delarosa, Janny Paez and Nelson Zuniga, all from Freeport, are being held in the Nassau County jail awaiting trial, but were also present in the courtroom. Delarossa allegedly stabbed Battaglia, and Zuniga, police say, shot Battaglia. According to a law-enforcement official, "The judge informed the defendants that their pre-trial hearing would begin on Feb. 14, and that if any of them were interested in pleading guilty, or taking a plea, they should notify him by Feb. 7."
Musso is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 22. Her attorney, Scott Brettschneider, who has an office in Uniondale, did not return calls for comment.
Battaglia's widow, Caryn, was in the courtroom for Musso's plea. "I thought it was important for me to be there," Battaglia said. "I'm ready to deal with this."
Comments about this story? KBarone@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
