BROOKLYN — An East New York man was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison Monday after murdering his mother before she could meet with officials about charges he raped a family member, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney and court records.
Apollo Hernandez, 31, was out on $3,500 bail on statutory rape charges when he beat and fatally slashed 48-year-old Ruth Maceira while she was alone in her Bushwick apartment on Dec. 17, 2014. Maceira was scheduled to meet with representatives from the DA’s office about a week after she was killed.
“This defendant killed his own mother to prevent her from reporting him to law enforcement authorities,” acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. “His reprehensible conduct has torn a family apart and he deserves the lengthy sentence that was imposed today.”
Maceira’s body was in her apartment for several days before a concerned relative called emergency responders on Dec. 20, 2014.
The mother had also planned to confront Hernandez about the sexual assault against an underage family member.
Hernandez melted the sole of his sneakers to try and avoid being linked to the crime scene, the DA’s office said.
Police also found a pair of cut-up jeans soaking in a bucket of cleaning fluid in Hernandez’s apartment.
Surveillance footage also showed Hernandez leaving his home wearing a hoodie on the day of the murder and then returning without it on.
A hoodie was found next to Maceira’s body with Hernandez’s DNA on it, officials added.
Hernandez was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury and sentenced in Brooklyn Supreme Court by Judge Neil Firetog.
He is still facing incest and statutory rape charges in the other case regarding his family member, according to court records.
Hernandez’s lawyer, Robert Reuland, said he planned to file an appeal on behalf of his client.
“My heart goes out to the family,” Reuland said. “I understand this is a very difficult situation for all of them.”
