Man Gets Life Term For Train Murders

Colin Ferguson was sentenced Wednesday to 200 years to life in prison for the murders of six people on the Long Island Rail Road and the attempted murder of 19 others.

Victims and members of their families cheered and applauded as Judge Donald E. Belfi assured them that Ferguson would spend the rest of his life in prison.

“Colin Ferguson, in my almost 21 years on the bench, I have never presided over a trial with a more selfish and self-centered defendant,” Belfi told him.

“The vicious acts you committed on Dec. 7, 1993, were the acts of a coward,” the judge said. “What could be more cowardly than entering a train filled with unsuspecting, homebound commuters and systematically shooting them at point-blank range?”

“What is even more remarkable is your total lack of remorse,” said Belfi, who ordered that Ferguson be sent immediately to the New York State Correction Facility in Fishkill.

As he was led in shackles from the courtroom by security guards, Ferguson’s last words to the judge were: “I’m innocent. I plan to appeal.”