Former Officer Found Guilty in Grisly Four-Person Killing
New York, NY – A retired police officer convicted of a brutal quadruple murder has received his sentence: four consecutive life terms in prison. Nicholas Tartaglione, 56, was a former officer in the Hudson River Valley village of Briarcliff Manor before his conviction last year. The case garnered significant attention due to the heinous nature of the crimes and Tartaglione’s past connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Motive, Torture, and Multiple Victims
Prosecutors allege Tartaglione, believing Martin Luna stole $250,000 intended for a cocaine purchase, tortured and strangled Luna with a zip tie. Tragically, the ordeal didn’t end there. Three others – Luna’s friends or family who were present at the time – were also abducted by Tartaglione and his accomplices in 2016. These three victims, Urbano Santiago, Miguel Luna, and Hector Gutierrez, were forced to witness the murder before being shot themselves. The bodies of all four victims were later discovered buried on Tartaglione’s property in Otisville, New York.
Police Career and Defense Arguments
Prior to his 2008 disability retirement from Briarcliff Manor, Tartaglione worked for various suburban police departments, including Yonkers, Pawling, and Mount Vernon. Despite the evidence, Tartaglione maintains his innocence. His defense claimed he operated an animal rescue farm and the killings weren’t financially motivated, according to The Journal News.
Accomplices and Witness Cooperation
One of Tartaglione’s alleged accomplices committed suicide by firearm in 2017 as FBI agents approached for an arrest. Another accomplice, Joseph Biggs, received a 16-year sentence after pleading guilty to killing one of the victims. Biggs’ testimony at Tartaglione’s trial served as crucial witness cooperation for the prosecution.
Connection to Jeffrey Epstein
While not Tartaglione’s cellmate at the time of Epstein’s suicide, his defense team asserted he was a “critical witness” in the investigation. This claim stems from a period weeks earlier in 2019 when Tartaglione briefly shared a cell with the wealthy financier, who was found with neck bruises and subsequently placed on suicide watch.
