Murder suspects laughed after hearing of victim’s brutal injuries: prosecutors
A former correction officer and his girlfriend sadistically laughed when they were told the woman’s mother was in a vegetative state and had lost her eye in a savage barbell beating by the jail guard, it was revealed Monday in a Long Island court.
Former Rikers guard Ralph Keppler, 28, is accused of using the weight to beat Theresa Kiel, 56, in the hallway of her Long Beach apartment building on Dec. 4, 2016, leaving her comatose.
Her daughter Francesca Kiel, 21, who is Keppler’s girlfriend, allegedly plotted the murder with him.
The teacher last month succumbed to the injuries, which included a shattered skull, lost eye and lost teeth.
At Keppler’s bail hearing Nassau County prosecutor Stefanie Palma said, “[Keppler] and Francesca were laughing over the fact that she lost an eye.”
Palma said Keppler texted, “LMAO,” or “laughing my ass off,” upon hearing of the injuries.
“That bitch got what she deserved,” he later texted. It was unclear who the messages were sent to.
Judge Christopher Quinn ordered Keppler held without bail.
Kiel remains in jail in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
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