The retired NYC firefighter was charged with a be-stripped man from Long Island following an anonymous meeting of alcoholics when debates over unpaid debt became violent.
James Rogers, 66, is said to have killed 65-year-old Mark Iacono. Newsday reported.
Rogers is a retired FDNY captain living in Babylon. He served for 22 years at FDNY and currently runs two support facilities, Newsday reports.
Investigators on Long Island said the two men began discussing money in the United Methodist Church parking lot just before 9pm, just after the meeting ended.
Rogers is said to have grabbed Iacono and threw him to the ground.
Iacono lowered his face and landed, and Rogers grabbed his head and is said to have smashed his face down to the ground many times. News12 Long Island reported.
He continued kicking him after witnesses pulled Rogers away from Iacono.
Iacono was declared dead, even 10 minutes later, shortly after arriving at South Shore University Hospital in Bayshore.
Rogers was charged with first-time manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty during his arrest at First District Court in Central Islip. He is scheduled to return to court on March 11th.
It was not clear who caused the fight or who was owing the money.
Rogers' attorney, ISLIP Terrace-based attorney Robert A. Macedonio, told Newsday that his client and Iacono had “previous business relationships,” calling Beat Down a “discussion about business disputes.”
Rogers could not be reached for comment on Saturday.
