Suffolk DA: Man found guilty of murder for breaking into Patchog’s home in 2018

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that 39-year-old Ade N’Gayi of Harlem has been found guilty by a Suffolk County jury for his part in the murder of 30-year-old Christopher Appel of Patchogue during a planned home invasion.

“The defendant took it upon himself to come to Suffolk and kill this victim in order to earn money,” District Attorney Tierney said. “I thank the jury for their careful attention to the case, the police for the investigation and our prosecutor’s office for ensuring justice. The jury’s verdict ensures that the defendant will be prosecuted for this unnecessary death caused by greed.”

Court evidence established that in October 2018, N’Gayi and his associates targeted Appel and conspired to forcefully break into his home to steal money and marijuana. On October 27, 2018, N’Gayi and his accomplices, armed with a pistol, left the Bronx for Patchogue to carry out their plan. N’Gayi and his accomplices failed to break into the victim’s house on their first attempt due to the fact that they were physically unable to break into Appel’s house. Their failed home invasion attempt led to a second planned home invasion, which turned out to be fatal.

On November 2, 2018, N’Gayi and three accomplices again left the Bronx for Suffolk, armed with a handgun. The trio disguised themselves as construction workers, wearing hard hats and reflective vests. N’Gayi and an accomplice forcefully entered Appel’s home and confronted Appel, during which they severely beat and fatally stabbed him. Later that day, Appel was found dead in the lobby of his home by members of the Suffolk County Police Department.

During the investigation, the police found a reflective vest with N’Gaya’s DNA in Appel’s house. Witness statements, as well as N’Gai’s text messages to an accomplice, show that he was in close proximity to the crime scene at the time it happened. N’Gayi was later arrested on June 24, 2021.

One of N’Gaya’s accomplices, Omar Sam, 41, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, a Class B felony, on May 13, 2021. His sentence is due on March 2, 2023. Sam is represented by Scott Zerbin, Esq. Another accomplice, 29-year-old Joshua Rodriguez, pleaded guilty on November 24, 2021 to fourth-degree conspiracy, a Class E felony. He is due for sentencing on March 2, 2023. Rodriguez is represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq. The third accomplice has not yet been identified and he has not been charged.

On February 24, 2023, N’Gayi was convicted, following a trial by jury heard by District Court Judge The Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr., of murder in the second degree, a Class A violent crime. He is scheduled to return to court on March 27, 2023 for sentencing, and he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment. N’Gayi represents Alix Duroso, Esq.

The case is being handled by Chief Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Division and Senior Assistant District Attorney Keri Wasson of the Serious Crimes Division.