Report: 18 years to life for man who murdered Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square

[Photo from March 2018]

Vincent Verdi, a former federal intelligence officer, received a sentence of 18 years to life yesterday after pleading guilty to gunning down Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square as she arrived for work on Nov. 1, 2017.

As the Daily News reported, Verdi, 63, "offered a self-pitying apology that drew jeers and groans from his victim’s loved ones" at a hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court yesterday.

“I can only hope one day the New York State criminal justice system will allow me to rejoin my family,” Verdi said.

“Never!” one critic said behind him.

“You’re the devil!” another chimed in.

Lee, who was 56 and a mother of two grown children, lived on the Upper East Side. She had just docked a Citi Bike when Verdi approached her and shot her twice. He then shot himself in the head.

According to previous reports in the Daily News, Verdi spent four months stalking and harassing Lee. Police had arrested him previously for stalking. She had an order of protection barring him from contacting her, which was in place the morning he killed her.

The DA's office originally charged him with murder, weapons possession, aggravated criminal contempt and stalking.

Lee was a longtime administrator at the nearby Grace Church School. She was remembered as a devoted mother and a friend to many.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Memorial for Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square

Report: Ex admits to murdering Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square

[Photo from March 2018]

Vincent Verdi, a former federal intelligence officer, pleaded guilty to murder in the 2nd degree yesterday for gunning down Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square as she arrived for work on Nov. 1, 2017.

As the Daily News reported last evening, Verdi told a judge he was remorseful for killing Lee.

"These words come of a heavy heart,” Verdi said in Manhattan Supreme Court. "My sorrow for what I did has no limit, and is also true of my regret for the pain and anguish I have caused to many, many people."

The terms of this deal will see Verdi, 63, serve at least 18 years for the murder.

Lee, who was 56 and a mother of two grown children, lived on the Upper East Side. She had just docked a Citi Bike when Verdi approached her and shot her twice. He then shot himself in the head.

According to previous reports in the Daily News, Verdi spent four months stalking and harassing Lee. Police had arrested him previously for stalking. She had an order of protection barring him from contacting her, which was in place the morning he killed her.

The DA's office originally charged him with murder, weapons possession, aggravated criminal contempt and stalking.

Lee was a longtime administrator at the nearby Grace Church School. She was remembered as a devoted mother and a friend to many.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Memorial for Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square

A memorial for Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square

During yesterday's #NationalSchoolWalkout, students from Grace Church School also left a memorial with a bed of roses on Cooper Square where longtime staff member Elizabeth Lee was shot and killed as she arrived for work this past Nov. 2 ...



Police have said that she was allegedly gunned down by Vincent Verdi, a onetime boyfriend.

According to the Daily News, Verdi spent four months stalking and harassing Lee. Police had arrested him previously for stalking, per the News. She had an order of protection barring him from contacting her, which was in place the morning he shot her.

Verdi, who survived a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, made his first appearance in Manhattan Supreme Court on Feb. 22.

The DA's office charged him with murder, weapons possession, aggravated criminal contempt and stalking.

Per the Daily News:

Verdi’s lawyer Robert Soloway declined to comment on the charges but said his client feels for Lee-Herman’s family.

“My client has great regret over the family’s loss — more than he’s able to express,” Soloway said.

Last November, school administrators established a trust to help provide for the education and other critical needs, such as medical coverage, of Lee's two children, Sasha and Hunter. Between GoFundMe and physical donations, $169,000 was raised for the family. The funds were turned over to the Elizabeth Lee Family Trust.

Remembering Elizabeth Lee

Funeral services were held this past Thursday for Elizabeth Lee, a Grace Church School staff member who was reportedly shot dead by a onetime boyfriend as she arrived for work on Cooper Square on Nov. 2.

"Lee-Herman was described as a loving friend and dedicated employee whose involvement in the school started when her own kids attended it," according to Patch.

The Grace Church School paper has more remembrances here.

School administrators also established a trust to help provide for the education and other critical needs, such as medical coverage, of her children, Sasha and Hunter. In less than a week, the crowdfunding campaign has raised more than $116,000.

Lee, who was 56, lived on the Upper East Side. She had just docked a Citi Bike when Vincent Verdi reportedly approached her and shot her twice. He then shot himself in the head. Verdi, 62, was last listed in critical condition at Bellevue.

According to the Daily News, Verdi spent four months stalking and harassing Lee. Police had arrested him previously for stalking, per the News. She had an order of protection barring him from contacting her, which was in place the morning he shot her.

Patch reported that Verdi had not been charged as of Thursday.

Memorial for Elizabeth Lee on Cooper Square

Friends and loved ones have placed flowers on Cooper Square where Elizabeth Lee was reportedly gunned down on Wednesday morning by a onetime boyfriend who had been stalking her.

Lee, who was 56, lived on the Upper East Side and worked at Grace Church School on Cooper Square. According to published reports, she had just docked a Citi Bike when Vincent Verdi approached her and shot her twice. He then reportedly shot himself in the head. Verdi, 62, is in critical condition at Bellevue.

The Daily News delves into his past.

He reportedly worked for the CIA and the Defense Department in Afghanistan, and elsewhere, for years.

The person close to him said Verdi suffered from severe depression from his years in the combat theater, and that may have contributed to his shocking crime.

“I think it has to do with him dealing with suicidal depression since he came back from Afghanistan,” the person said. “He was never the same person. And he had told the military that he needed to get help and they just ignored it.”

“That does not make up for his actions. I’m totally horrified by his actions. I can’t even express how sad I am for his family.”

Also:

Verdi has five sealed arrests in Florida for battery, domestic violence, lewd and lascivious behavior and fraud stretching over the past 30 years, police sources said.

Collegaues at Grace Church School remembered Lee as someone who really cared about the students.

Olivia Nunez, 34, met Lee-Herman a decade ago when they worked at Go Project, a nonprofit organization.

“She was really kind,” she said. “Welcoming. Always had a smile on her face. She was just the sweetest, sweetest person.”

We are deeply saddened to say we have lost an irreplaceable member of our community, Elizabeth Lee, a Grace parent as well as assistant to the assistant head of school. These difficult times remind us how important staying together and supporting one another is. Acts of kindness can go a long way. As Rev. Hummel expressed in this morning's chapel, Ms. Lee can be remembered for her kindness and care for her family and GCS. Updates on funeral arrangements will be posted on the school's website.

A post shared by The High School @ GCS (@gcshighschool) on Nov 2, 2017 at 1:47pm PDT