PHOENIX— Joseph Palmisano (D.O.B. 10-13-1964) was sentenced today to five years in the Department of Corrections followed by five years of probation after pleading guilty to Aggravated Assault and Kidnapping.
“Today’s sentencing is a fitting resolution for the crimes of this defendant who fell far short of what we as lawyers are expected to uphold,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.
Prior to the shooting on April 18, 2013 the defendant began a romantic relationship with a woman who worked at this law firm. The woman had joint custody of a young child and custody exchanges were done at her office with the child’s father who was also a former client of Palmisano.
The morning of April 18th the victim came to the law office for the exchange of child custody, but when he parked his car the defendant parked behind blocking the victim into the parking spot. The defendant exited his vehicle with a gun in his hand and pointed it at the victim. As the victim attempted to exit his vehicle, the defendant shot him in the back.
When interviewed by police the defendant admitted to the shooting and said that he had not done anything wrong. He told officers he believed the victim was hacking into the computers of the law office and he wanted to detain the victim for police.