An Oswego County jury convicted Ricky Colon of second-degree murder in the beating death of Rachel Allen last February. On Monday, Judge Armen Nazarian sentenced the 37-year-old to 25 years to life in prison. The judge described the crime as one of the most brutal he had seen.
Ricky Colon, 37, received his sentence in Oswego County Supreme Court after a jury found him guilty in February of second-degree murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence in the death of his 38-year-old friend Rachel Allen. The attack occurred on July 13, 2024, at Colon's home on West Schuyler Street in Oswego, New York, where he beat Allen to death using a cast-iron stove grate that shattered from the force. The medical examiner noted 58 external injuries and 13 internal ones from blunt force trauma, leaving first responders unable to recognize her face. An insurance report cited over $20,000 needed for crime scene cleanup. Judge Armen Nazarian called the violence 'astonishing' in its cruelty, adding that Colon showed 'a complete and absolute lack of remorse.' After the killing, Colon moved Allen's body, burned her clothes, showered blood onto her while cleaning himself, and called 911 claiming a drug overdose. He also recorded videos where he appeared bloodied and incoherent, insisting he found her dead. Prosecutors highlighted the bizarre footage, while defense attorney Michael Spano argued Colon's PTSD from Iraq service changed him, citing a brother's letter. The court rejected PTSD mentions during trial. Prosecutor Louis Mannara urged no mercy, stating Colon deserved the same. During sentencing, Colon interrupted with an outburst, claiming an unfair trial, and was removed. Nazarian deemed him a continuing danger, justifying the maximum concurrent sentences including another 25 years for assault.