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A mobster convicted of the murder of an NYPD probation officer in the 1980s, linked to the death of a junior officer, asks for compassionate release from prison because the prison can’t cope with its vegan diet and it causes him stress.
Lorenzo ‘Fat Cat’ Nichols, 63, is concurrently serving 25 years and 40 years to life sentences but has asked a judge to release him for migraines he tolerates and the “stress” of the prison lifestyle. according to NY Daily News.
“Even though I’m trying to stay strong, the stress has gone down and my blood pressure has risen,” the drug lord said in a letter to Brooklyn federal court judge Edward Korman.
Nichols is said to have sent the plea to court in mid-August and is currently awaiting a response.
Lorenzo ‘Fat Cat’ Nichols is responsible for multiple deaths, including that of NYPD officer Brian Rooney, as well as involvement in the death of rookie cop Eddie Byrne
In the letter, Nichols also discusses the “mistakes” he has made in life, as well as his health problems and the family events and deaths he missed while in prison.
While talking about the “mistakes” he made, he does not name his victims, including the NYPD officers and his ex-girlfriend, according to the NY Daily news.
In addition to serving his 25-year to life sentence, the convicted murderer is also serving a 40-year to life sentence at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center.
Earlier this year, the criminal was released on parole and transferred to federal custody.
MDC Brooklyn, the prison where Lorenzo ‘Fat Cat’ Nichols is currently serving his sentence
“This murderous drug lord and police killer must not come one inch closer to freedom. Our hero brother, Police Officer Edward Byrne, sacrificed his life to rid our town of Nichols and his gang,” said Patrick Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association at the time.
Nichols ordered the murder of NYPD Probation Officer Brian Rooney after the officer cited him for parole over a previous drug charge.
Rooney was in his car on 119th Avenue in October 1985 when another car stopped next to his and a suspect in the car opened fire. The NYPD officer was punched in the head, back and left arm.
Officer Rooney was a four-year veteran of the Corps and left behind a wife and son.
NYPD Parole Officer Brian Rooney, shot and killed in October 1985
Nichols later pleaded guilty to ordering the murder of Rooney.
Though not charged, it is widely believed that ‘Fat Cat’ was also involved in rookie’s death NYPD Office Edward Byrneperformed by members of Nichols’ drug gang.
Byrne had only been on the job for seven months when he was brutally murdered in South Jamaica. He was 22.
The NYPD rookie had been protecting a witness in a drug case when a suspect walked up to his flagged vehicle and shot him five times in the head.
Rookie NYPD cop Eddie Byrne, brutally murdered while on duty in 1988
If the drug lord is released, he also faces a 10-year prison term to serve in Florida.
The Associated Press reported in 2006 that Nichols was part of a massive car theft scheme in which he helped sell more than $8 million worth of vehicles over five years.
Officials said at the time that “Fat Cat,” while behind bars from 1999 to 2005, helped move about 250 vehicles from Florida to buyers in 14 other states.
Nichols has already spent 34 years in prison for his crimes.
Lorenzo ‘Fat Cat’ Nichols smiles in photo before his arrest and murder conviction
According to the NY Daily News, the drug lord complained to Judge Korman that his previous time in state prison did not count toward his current federal law enforcement sentence.
Korman suggested that the Nichols file a compassionate release request, but it’s unclear if his request will be granted.