A 43-year-old Long Island man was indicted for one count of murder in the first degree and other related charges for the stabbing death of a CVS worker to death on Christmas Day.
Edeedson Cine Jr., of West Babylon, was not scheduled to work on the Christmas holiday, but he was called in to fill a shift at the CVS store in Lindenhurst. His family said he went to work eager, as he always did.
Prosecutors say the 23-year-old was working behind the store counter when John Pilaccio walked into the store, took a lap and grabbed a drink, before approaching the counter where he intended to robe the store. In court on Wednesday, prosecutors said Pilaccio wanted the money because he had credit card debt totaling $25,000.
Store security video shows Pilaccio, 43, lunge at Cine and stab him in the chest, hop the counter, and stab him twice more in the head, according to prosecutors.
“You have a young man doing all the right things, working hard,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “And through no fault of his own, he loses his life in a very tragic way. and I think that just hits home.”
Cine was was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy which revealed the victim’s cause of death was sharp force wounds to both his head and chest.
Suffolk County detectives arrested Pilaccio in Lindenhurst the following day. Prosecutors say he has a lengthy criminal history, including a robbery arrest, nearly 20 years ago to the day, where he beat a man up with a tire iron for fifty bucks.
On the day of the stabbing, Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina was critical of CVS for delaying in handing over the security video. But a CVS spokesperson told NBC New York in a statement, “We provided the initial surveillance video they requested on the night of the incident – officers also watched it in store – and the remaining video the police requested was sent to Suffolk County PD on Friday morning (12/26) via email.”
They also said that “Cine was a valued member of the store team, known for his strong work ethic.” And that his “loss is felt by all of us.”
The family’s attorneys are raising questions about work place safety.
“I think the reality is we can walk into a CVS right now and I can’t buy a bar of soap without asking someone at the front to unlock the product. Where’s the safety and the protection for those who work?” asked attorney Heather Palmore.
“The second component of the question goes to could CVS have done more to protect its employees?” asked attorney Steven Drummond. “Can they do more to protect everyday ordinary families?”
Pilaccio pleaded not guilty on Wednesday and is due back in court on February 23. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is being represented by Steven Fondulis.
A request to Pilaccio’s lawyer seeking comment was not immediately returned.
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