By Sarah Moskowitz
Dillon has never sought the death penalty since he was appointed district attorney in 1975.
"The death penalty should be sought only when it is determined to be the only effective means of protecting the public from a particular defendant," said Dillon.
On March 12, Troy entered Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church and fatally wounded Father Lawrence Penzes, 50, and parishioner Eileen Tosner, 73, with six shots from a rifle concealed under his coat. He then fled to his Lynbrook home where a stakeout proceeded for seven hours.
In addition to being indicted on two counts of first degree murder, Troy also faces four counts of second-degree murder, plus one count of attempted murder for reportedly attacking a special weapons team officer with a knife during his arrest.
"The man is obviously a menace to society," said Lynbrook Police Chief Joseph Neve.
Many leaders in the Catholic religion are against the death penalty, but the church has no laws restricting it.
"The church has never completely forbidden the death penalty," said Joanne Novarro, a spokeswoman for the Rockville Centre's Diocese. "The church teaching is that as long as a person can be prevented from doing any harm to the public, then other means should be used."
Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church stands by its faith even in this particular case.
"We are very grateful that the district attorney has made this decision," said Father Jim Pereda, temporary administrator of the parish. "It is in accord with the teachings of our Holy Father Pope John Paul II as enunciated in his encyclical The Gospel of Life. We hope that this decision will instill into all citizens a respect for life from conception until natural death."
Novarro added that it is "Obvious [Troy] is a disturbed person and we are very hopeful that he gets the help he needs."
