Mount Vernon Man Accused of Beating Roommate to Death

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Clifford Ali of 214 South 5 th Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York was arraigned on an indictment Tuesday in the death of Martin Lisnak with:

• one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class “A-1” Felony and
• three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, class “A” Misdemeanors

At 1:25 p.m. Nov. 21, Mount Vernon Police received a 911 call. The call was made by the 53-year-old who identified himself. He told police that a man he identified as his “father” had been beaten up on the street, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said in the announcement.

Mount Vernon Police Officers arrived at the apartment and discovered the lifeless body of the victim. The 74-year-old was naked, dead, uncovered and appeared to be severely beaten.

A subsequent investigation revealed that contrary to Ali's claim, the two were not related. They were in fact roommates. Ali appeared to have blood on his hands, prosecutors said. Three canes which had apparent blood on them were recovered inside the apartment. There was apparent blood splatter on the walls in the room where the victim was located.

The Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the body. The victim had a fractured humerus and hemorrhages. He suffered at least 15 to 20 wounds on his body.

Ali pled not guilty before Judge Anne Minihan. He remains in jail.