Peter Zisopoulos, accused of fatally stabbing FDNY EMS Capt. Alison Russo, ordered to undergo pre-trial psychiatric evaluation

An Astoria man accused of stabbing to death FDNY EMS Capt. Alison Russo in September 2022 was ordered to undergo another psychological examination Monday to see if he is fit to stand trial for the murder.

Queens State Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant ordered that Peter Zisopoulos, 36, submit to the examination after his defense attorneys stated during a court hearing that he was showing signs of disorganized thinking and indicating he didn’t want to cooperate with them.

The second-degree murder and criminal weapons possession trial of Zisopoulos had been scheduled to begin jury selection as early as Monday. But defense attorney and social worker Mary Beth Anderson, who said she has conducted numerous psychological examinations, asked for an emergency evaluation of Zisopoulos, after he exhibited troubling signs during interviews over the weekend at Rikers Island, where he is being held.

According to Anderson, Zisopoulos, who, she said, has been a diagnosed schizophrenic since 2008, "has very disorganized thinking" and didn’t seem to be acting rationally in discussing the case with his attorneys.

Lead defense attorney Jonathan Latimer said he wasn’t confident that Zisopoulos would respect his legal advice. At one point Zisopoulos said that he could represent himself better than anyone else could, Anderson said.

Questioned by Pandit-Durant about how he was feeling, Zisopoulos answered calmly "I am good, thank you." Asked if he wanted to view a videotape of the stabbing, Zisopoulos replied that he did not.

Zisopoulos was charged with the repeated stabbing of Russo, of Huntington, as she stood at an intersection just blocks away from her EMS station in Astoria. While some reports stated that Russo, 61, was on her way to get a sandwich when attacked, Vincent Variale, president of EMS Officers Union Local 3621, told Newsday on Monday she was responding to information that someone in the vicinity needed EMS help when the attack happened.

Pandit-Durant scheduled another court conference for Tuesday to go over any psychological findings. Over the many months since he was arrested, Zisopoulos has been found alternately unfit and then more recently fit to stand trial, according to Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe. If the defendant continues to be found fit to stand trial, jury selection could begin soon. Any unfitness would further delay the case.

Dozens of FDNY EMS officers packed the courtroom for Monday’s hearing. Also in attendance was Russo’s daughter, Danielle Fuoco, of Shoreham, wearing a shirt emblazoned with her mother’s last name.

It is unclear what defense Zisopoulos’ attorneys plan to pursue in the face of an explicit video of him appearing to stab Russo. One possibility is the affirmative defense that Zisopoulos was suffering from a mental disease or defect at the time of the attack which prevented him from knowing what he did was wrong. If found not guilty because of such a mental disease, Zisopoulos could face an indeterminate sentence in a psychiatric facility

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.