LONG ISLAND, New York — A New York elementary school music teacher is accused of strangling his sister-in-law inside a Long Island home where the two lived in separate apartments, prosecutors said.
According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Joseph Horner lived in an upstairs apartment in the same residence as the victim.
Authorities said Horner allegedly asked his sister-in-law, 25-year-old Victoria Castle, to come to his apartment to help move a piano.
Once she was inside, prosecutors allege Horner attacked Castle from behind and put her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness.
Prosecutors said he then sexually abused her, changed his clothing and contacted police.
“The male caller requested police and an ambulance to this location for a deceased female,” Det. Lt. Daniel Steller, deputy commanding officer of the NCPD Homicide Squad, said.
Police said Horner remained at the home until officers arrived.
Castle was given CPR and transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to police.
The 27-year-old’s wife was at a bachelorette party at the time of the attack, police said.
“He’s married, he has been married for three years, and his wife was not home at the time of this incident,” Steller said.
Horner is an elementary school music teacher.
Oceanside School District released a statement saying in part, “This staff member has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately, pending further review. We have no further information at this time.”
“He’s an Oceanside teacher, he’s tenured, he’s very well loved by his students and his colleagues; these allegations are not very in line with what his community friends and family believe,” attorney Gregory Grizopoulos said.
Horner pleaded not guilty to murder.
It was very emotional, as Castle’s family cried and hugged one another in the courtroom.
She was a student in the process of getting her PhD at Stony Brook University.
Horner’s family was also present, and neither wanted to comment on the allegations.
Horner was held without bail, and if convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.
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