Summations wrapped up Thursday in the murder trial of Pollina — former fiancée of Michael Valva, an ex-NYPD officer convicted of murder in the death of his 8-year-old son Thomas, who died of hypothermia after being forced to sleep in his father’s frigid garage — as Assistant District Attorney Kerriann Kelly fiercely delivered her closing arguments.
Kelly painted a vivid picture of Kelly, saying she “acted in concert” with Valva and was responsible for brandishing cruel punishment — forcing the boys to sleep in a freezing garage, go without food, and attend school in urine-soaked clothes, sneaker and pull-ups — all because of their “sin of being autistic,” she said.
Valva and Pollina were arrested Jan. 24, 2020, and charged with second-degree murder and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Each faced 25 years to life in prison, and both pleaded not guilty.
Jurors convicted Valva of second-degree murder and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The boy froze to death in the Center Moriches garage. His father was sentenced to 25 years to life behind bars.
Kelly began her summation by humanizing the victim who had repeatedly been referrred to as the boy”: “The boy has a name. His name is Thomas Valva.”
Pollina’s defense attorney Matthew Tuohy and even Pollina herself during her testimony had repeatedly referred to Thomas as “the boy.” He was, she said, “at the age of 8, brutally murdered at the hands of the people who were supposed to protect him from harm at any turn.”
Now the jury will deliberate and decide Pollina’s fate.
