Mar 21, 2008 12:50 am US/Eastern
Out On Bail, White Addresses 'Constant Threats'
Convicted Killer Tries To Understand Cicciaro Family Pain
Reporting
Lou Young
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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John White was convicted on March 19 of killing of a white teenager during a racially charged encounter outside his Garden City home.
CBS
A father's incendiary comments moments after learning a gunman would face no more than four years in prison for killing his teenage son are not likely to result in criminal charges, several legal experts said Thursday.
Daniel Cicciaro Sr. became incensed Wednesday after learning that John White would get a relatively light two-to-four year sentence for the August 2006 killing of Cicciaro's namesake.
The 17-year-old boy was fatally shot in the face in a racially charged, late-night confrontation at the end of White's driveway after showing up with two carloads of friends to confront White's son, Aaron, after a dispute at a party.
The Whites are a black family and the carloads of teenagers were predominantly white.
Out on bail Thursday night, John White walked in a cold wind outside the Suffolk County Jail, his wife and his attorney at his side.
The black homeowner who shot and killed Daniel Cicciaro Jr. is appealing his manslaughter conviction and says he continues to feel threatened.
"There's been a constant stream of threats against my family since the whole thing started," White said. "Whether it be on the Internet, whether it be on the street, whether it be out in public, there's always been constant threats," White said.
The latest threat came Wednesday after he was sentenced to two-to-four years in prison. The victim's father seemed to threaten White's own teenage son.
"We'll see what happens when Aaron White is shot," a heated Daniel Cicciaro said.
White told CBS 2 HD he hadn't heard the specifics, but in a few words seemed to try to understand the father's pain.
"He'll need time to heal and so will I," White said.
Cicciaro was calmer Thursday, but still distraught over White's imminent release from jail.
"I am infuriated over it. There is nothing I can do," Cicciaro said. "It's amazing how they can just brush aside the fact that he murdered my son."
Police are guarding the homes of both families, especially since someone tore up the lawn of the Cicciaro's neighbors Wednesday night. That family also happens to be the only black family living on the block.
John White said his immediate plans are to enjoy Easter weekend with his family and church. His appeal could take as long as two years.
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