Family still shaken with death of 24-year-old

March 10, 2009

“I often catch myself speaking as if he’s still alive,” says girlfriend of murdered Jordan Ormande in a sentence hearing on Feb. 19.

Arber “Benny” Krasniqi has been arrested for second-degree murder after stabbing 24-year-old Ormande in the neck with a fishing-fillet knife.

Krasniqi originally pleaded self-defense but was charged as guilty in Ormande’s murder.

The altercation that caused Ormande’s death happened on April 22, 2007 at Greek restaurant Kokkino,  after Krasniqi attempted to convince Zoya Papathanasalis, Ormande’s girlfriend to dance on a chair.

Witnesses say Ormande grabbed Krasniqi and slapped him across the face, to which the latter responded with pulling out a knife and cutting Ormande under the jaw, explained a court clerk at the Feb. 19 hearing.  

Ormande died in hospital the next day.

Krasniqi said he was shocked to see blood after pulling out his knife, reports Nov. 21, 2008 Toronto Star. 

Krasniqi fled the scene with another man and was found in Manhattan three months later. 

He holds a long history of violent behaviour.

Krasniqi was arrested for punching his wife in the face in 2001, and threatening doormen with a knife a year later.

He was released on a peace bond both times.

He later punched two more men, once in a provoked attack. 

Other instances include stabbing a woman in the arm, a man in the shoulder, hitting a man with a beer bottle and possession of illegal weapons, sates an article on BlogSpot. 

However, Krasniqi was described as "a loving, caring family man," who was "active in his efforts to help fellow Albanians,” reports Toronto Star, Feb 26, 2009.

The victim impact statements were read on Feb. 19, in which family and friends of deceased Jordan Ormande pleaded the judge to extend Krasniqi’s sentence. 

Krasniqi entered the room with a smile every time. 

He had his head in his hands the whole time victim impact statements were read.

“Kasniqi is a cold-blooded murdered and a waste of a human being,” said Chris Sakkas, a friend of Ormande. 

Friend Tommy Kalogeroboulos calls this a “malicious and cowardly act” and says, “I hope you live with knowing your family sees you as a murderer, because some things just don’t leave you.”

“You are a coward and a murderer who prays on young people.  You have destroyed our family and yours as well,” says Florence Ormande, mother of the victim.

Judge Frank Marrocco delivered the sentence on Feb. 26, 2009. 

Krasniqi was sentenced for life in jail, with eligibility for parole after 14 years.