NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A 64-year-old man described as a disgruntled client was indicted Friday on murder charges in the stabbing death of a Queens divorce attorney.
Nando Perez, of the Bronx, is accused of stabbing Charles Zolot 20 times after the two got into an argument inside a conference room at the attorney’s Jackson Heights office on Aug. 4.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, after stabbing Zolot repeatedly, Perez fled the scene, leaving the body to be found by cleaning staff the next morning.
“This was a brutal killing that stunned the community. The victim was found dead inside his Jackson Heights office with multiple stab wounds and a former client is accused of settling a disagreement with violence,” Katz said.
Reports claim Perez was dissatisfied over a home foreclosure and had been seen arguing with Zolot in the past. Security footage from the office also places him at the scene of the crime.
Perez is facing second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant has ordered he be held in jail without bail until his trial. He is due back in court on Oct. 12.
If convicted, Perez faces up to 25 years-to-life in prison.