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Man Found Guilty of Gambling Debt Murder

LONG ISLAND, New York – As reported by the New York Newsday: "Mark Orlando told police he was stunned when moments after he paid off a $17,000 gambling debt, his friend from work pulled out a gun and executed his bookmaker's runner.

"But a Mineola jury didn't buy that. It thought Orlando helped plan Bobby Calabrese's murder and Thursday found the Bay Shore man guilty of second-degree murder.

"…Assistant District Attorney Bob Hayden said he will seek the maximum of 25 years to life when Nassau County Court Judge David Sullivan sentences Orlando July 29.

"Orlando's attorney, Dennis Lemke of Mineola, said his client hoped to be acquitted.

"…Lemke said Orlando, who had been placing bets with Calabrese for about six weeks, had merely planned to pay him $17,000 he owed him on Dec. 3, 2004, the night of the crime on a deserted road in North Long Beach. But he said after Orlando paid Calabrese the money, a friend that had come with him, Herve Jeannot, shot Calabrese three times and took the cash.

"Lemke said Orlando did not call police because he was afraid Jeannot would kill him next.

"…Jeannot is awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder. His lawyer, Daniel Hochheiser of Manhattan, said his client did not kill Calabrese…"

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