A man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Monday for the murder of Alison Russo, the FDNY-EMS captain from Long Island he stabbed to death on a Queens street corner in September 2022.

Queens State Supreme Court Judge Ushir Pandit-Durant hit Peter Zisopoulos, 37, with the expected maximum sentence after he was found guilty after a May trial of second degree murder in the unprovoked attack on Russo, 61, in Astoria as she was walking down a street. The jury, which deliberated about an hour, also convicted Zisopoulos of criminal possession of a weapon.

Videotape evidence and eye witness testimony showed Zisopooulos, who had a history of schizophrenia and other problems, suddenly attack Russo and stab her over 20 times with a kitchen knife, giving her numerous fatal injuries, including some which pierced her heart.

In his defense, Zisopoulos testified at his 12-day trial, denying that he was the man seen on the videos stabbing Russo, claiming it was likely an animation. In pretrial hearings, various experts testified that Zisopoulos, who earlier in his life was in the U.S. military and had attended Stony Brook University, was delusional.

Despite the expert assessments that Zisopoulos was unfit to stand trial, Pandit-Durant, found him legally fit to go to trial. Legal experts believe the issue of the defendant’s mental fitness to stand trial is likely to be the basis for an appeal. Zisopoulos didn’t comment during the proceedings.

Russo had been a 24 year veteran of the department and also volunteered at the Huntington Community First Aid Squad when she died. Russo was a lieutenant and was promoted to the rank of captain after her death.

The courtroom Monday was filed with FDNY personnel, as well as Russo’s daughter Danelle Fuoco, 43, of Shoreham, who spoke before the sentence was pronounced.

In a comment to Newsday Fuoco said she was thankful for all the support the FDNY gave her family and that she planned to go forward as best she could now that the trial was over.

In a statement, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz acknowledged that nothing could bring Russo back.

"But we hope that the pain and grief over her loss will lessen with today’s sentencing," Katz said.