A Nassau County grand jury indicted a 27-year-old man accused of strangling and raping his sister-in-law inside the home they shared.
MINEOLA, NY — A North Massapequa man has been indicted on murder and rape charges after prosecutors allege he strangled and sexually assaulted his 25-year-old sister-in-law inside their shared home while his wife was out of town.
A Nassau County grand jury indicted Joseph Horner, 27, on charges of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree rape.
Horner was arraigned Wednesday before Judge Howard Sturim, pleaded not guilty and was remanded. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 19.
According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Nassau County police responded to a 911 call at about 8:40 a.m. on June 29 at a multi-family home on North Oak Street in North Massapequa.
Officers found Horner sitting outside the residence and located 25-year-old Victoria Castle inside a ground-floor apartment, naked and unresponsive on her bed. She was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Prosecutors said Castle had lived in a separate apartment within the home since 2024.
According to the indictment, Horner asked Castle to help him move a keyboard piano to the upstairs apartment he shared with his wife. After the piano was moved, prosecutors allege Horner returned to Castle’s apartment under the pretense of retrieving the piano bench.
Once inside, prosecutors allege Horner attacked Castle from behind, placed her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, removed her clothing and sexually assaulted her.
An autopsy determined Castle died from manual strangulation, according to prosecutors.
If convicted of the top charge, Horner faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The charges are allegations, and Horner is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A Nassau County grand jury indicted a North Massapequa man on murder and rape charges.
- Prosecutors allege the victim, 25-year-old Victoria Castle, was strangled and sexually assaulted inside her apartment.
- The defendant pleaded not guilty and remains jailed pending his next court appearance on Aug. 19.
