A Queens landlord convicted of "mercilessly slaughtering" his live-in girlfriend and two tenants was sentenced Tuesday to three consecutive life sentences in prison, weeks after he rejected a plea deal that would have sent him away for 33 years.
Background
David Daniel, 56, owned property in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens. On November 14, 2023, authorities allege Daniel fatally stabbed his girlfriend, Coleen Fields, and two tenants who lived in his basement apartment — Wayne Thomas and Evette Sweeney. The brutal killings sent shockwaves through the community and prompted a swift investigation by the NYPD.
According to law enforcement sources, Daniel told investigators he was "having issues" with Fields and that the tenants were behind on their rent. He also reportedly claimed to police that he committed the murders because he was under pressure. Hours after the stabbings, Daniel walked calmly into the 113th Precinct stationhouse and told officers, "I did something bad," providing his address and noting he had left the back door unlocked.
The Conviction
Daniel was convicted last month of three counts of murder for the killings. Prosecutors had offered him a plea deal that would have resulted in a 33-year sentence — an offer Daniel declined. Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder expressed disbelief at this decision, attributing it sarcastically to "the Rikers Island Bar Association."
During Tuesday's sentencing hearing, Daniel wore brown prison garb and appeared with glasses and a salt-and-pepper beard. He never apologized to the victims' families.
"You need to come to terms with the evil that resides inside of you — people over here talking about God and all that. I'm talking about evil," Justice Holder told Daniel. "And I'm sure there's a special place in hell for someone like you."
The judge also confronted Daniel when he complained that a probation report made him look unfavorable.
"Make you look bad? You killed three people. You stabbed a disabled woman to death in her bedroom while she was sleeping. What gets worse than that?" Holder demanded. "In what universe do you think you could do that? And then what, go home? What are you thinking?"
Victim Impact Statements
Family members of the victims delivered emotional statements during Tuesday's hearing.
Petula Thomas, sister of victim Wayne Thomas, described Daniel as a "demonic, self-centered, insecure, and cold-hearted narcissist."
"We can only imagine how Wayne struggled to stay alive as he choked on his own blood," Petula Thomas said. "Imagine in his last moment how much pain he must have suffered, in addition to the pain of his life as his girlfriend, Evette, in bed was been butchered in the same fashion."
Charlene McKenzie, daughter of victim Evette Sweeney, wept as she addressed Daniel directly.
"You did not take a life, you destroyed a family," McKenzie said. "My mother was more than a victim — she was a daughter, a friend, a grandmother, a sister and my mother. She was the kind of person who lit up a room when she walked into it. As her only child I never imagined I would have to navigate this life without my mother. There are memories that will never be made. This grief never ends."
Key Takeaways
- David Daniel, 56, sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for the November 2023 murders of Coleen Fields, Wayne Thomas, and Evette Sweeney in Queens
- Daniel rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 33-year sentence before his conviction
- He confessed to police hours after the killings, walking into the 113th Precinct stationhouse and stating "I did something bad"
- Justice Kenneth Holder condemned Daniel's actions as evil and noted he showed no remorse
- Victim family members described their profound grief and called for justice
What's Next
The sentencing marks the conclusion of Daniel's criminal case following his conviction on three counts of murder. He will serve the three life sentences consecutively in state prison, making him ineligible for parole. No further court proceedings are scheduled at this time.