Syracuse, N.Y. – The mother of a man stabbed to death in Clay told his killer in court on Friday that “I hope you rot in prison, and hell.”
Richard Losee, 45, was sentenced Friday to 20 years to life in prison for killing his neighbor, Scott Lamica, 50, in September 2024. He had pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder.
Prosecutors said Losee thought Lamica was having a relationship with his girlfriend. Prosecutor Robert Moran said Losee had discovered that his girlfriend and Lamica were texting the day before he killed Lamica.
Jacqueline Lamica, the mother of the victim, gave an emotional statement in court, at times crying and sobbing.
“Because of this heinous act, you have destroyed more lives than you will ever know” she said. “And that includes your own.”
Jacqueline Lamica was joined by about 10 other family members and supporters at the sentencing.
Patty Stringer, a cousin of the victim, promised Losee that they would go to every parole hearing to make sure the impacts of his actions are never forgotten.
Family members said in court that throughout the trial Losee had shown no remorse. They also noted he attempted to retract his guilty plea at the last moment.
Mark Lamica, the brother of the victim, said “the only remorse he has shown is in the sentence he will receive.”
The brother, who is a former detective with the Watertown Police Department, said Losee is only concerned with himself.
“He repeats violence and selfish acts, blaming others or outside circumstances for the reasons for what they did,” he said. “The kind I continued to have dealings with over and over. They continue to offend and leave victims in their wake.”
When asked if he wanted to make a statement, Losee stayed silent.
Judge Gordon Cuffy sentenced Richard Losee in a Syracuse court on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 to 20 years to life in prison for second-degree murder. He stabbed to death his neighbor, Scott Lamica, in Clay in September 2024.Finn Lincoln | finnlincoln@syracuse.com
Judge Gordon Cuffy told Losee, before sentencing him, that he hopes he takes time in jail to reflect on his actions. He also noted that Losee showed no remorse.
“Not once, ‘I’m sorry.’ Not once, ‘I regret these actions,’” Cuffy said. “The fact that you would not express any regret is unconscionable to me.”
The day before the murder, Losee had been arrested on charges that he had put his hands around his girlfriend’s neck and threatened to kill her.
Losee was arraigned and released by Syracuse City Judge Felicia Pitts-Davis without needing to pay bail.
Mark Lamica said in court that he vividly remembers the day before the killing when his brother and Losee’s girlfriend had hidden at his house in fear of Losee’s threats and temper.
The next evening, Sept. 6, 2024, Losee approached Lamica, who was in a car. Losee stabbed Lamica multiple times through the open window of the vehicle, even hanging on as Lamica attempted to escape.
Lamica was able to shake him off and drive away. Lamica’s vehicle crashed into a tree. He later died at the hospital after calling 911.
Friends remembered Lamica as a car enthusiast whose prized possession was his blue 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. He was a member of a local Corvette club and frequented car shows across the region. He was attending a club meeting just a few hours before his death, friends told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.
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Staff writer Finn Lincoln covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at flincoln@syracuse.com or 315-607-2986.
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