Music teacher charged with murder of sister-in-law

A 27-year-old music teacher from Oceanside has been charged with murder in the death of his 25-year-old sister-in-law, a case that has sent shockwaves through their Long Island community and the university where she was a doctoral student. Joseph Horner pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder on Monday and was ordered held without bail.

The incident occurred on the morning of Monday, June 29, at a home on North Oak Street in North Massapequa. According to Nassau County police, officers responded around 8:44 a.m. after a male caller requested an ambulance for a woman who was not breathing. First responders found Victoria Castle unresponsive in a first-floor apartment. She was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead at 9:25 a.m.

Prosecutors allege Horner, who lived in an upstairs apartment with his wife, lured Castle by asking her to help move a piano while his wife was away on a trip. They say he attacked her from behind, placed her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, and then sexually assaulted her. Authorities allege Horner changed his clothes, called 911, and remained at the scene until police arrived. Prosecutors stated in court that Horner had confessed to...