By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SURPEME COURT — The trial of a reputed mafia associate who allegedly robbed a man trying to sell him a replica Tiffany engagement ring on Craigslist opened Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Gerald DeGeralomo, 66, is charged with robbing David Cushman, who he met over the sale of a ring Cushman, 31, was trying to hawk in December after a break-up with his fiancée. DeGeralomo has another open case for a similar Craigslist plot on Oct. 22 in which he allegedly stole about $90,000 worth of jewelry.
But instead of a conversation about the proposed sale, on Dec. 26, DeGeralomo allegedly sprayed mace in the face of the victim and then swiped the ring, which Cushman claimed was worth $30,000, according to prosecutors.
"I felt like I'd put my head in an oven. I felt horrible I thought I was going to die," Cushman testified at the start of DeGeralomo's robbery trial Monday, explaining how after one prior meeting, he allowed the alleged attacker to meet him at his Greenwich Village apartment.
"I was trying to open my eyes and had a hard time doing so," said the ring seller, who was trying to make the sale "to get rid of my broken engagement, that had broken my heart."
Prosecutors said DeGeralomo "capitalized on the disorientation he caused" Cushman by using the spray so he could "forcibly snatch" the ring from his hand.
DeGerolomo is charged with first degree robbery for that incident on Dec. 26.
Cushman, who was the first witness to testify Monday, defended his decision to sell the ring on Craigslist, claiming jewelry shops he'd been to "were trying to lowball" him.
"They were trying to say the market has changed and it's not worth the same amount," he said.
Cushman is accused of attackomg DeGeralomo, who was visibly injured at his 2009 arraignment. Despite his incapacitated state he manage to kick and punch DeGeralomo until the older man fell to the ground, according to testimony.
The older man in the struggle was down long enough for police to arrest him, Cushman said.
But DeGerolomo's attorney argued it was Cushman who started the violence.
DeGerolomo, who reportedly has a criminal history, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
