Life in prison for killer in luxury apartment murder

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James Rackover listens as his lawyer speaks during his arraignment in criminal court, Tuesday Dec. 13, 2016, in New York.  (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

NEW YORK (AP) -- A man will spend up to life in prison for the beating and stabbing death of a party guest at his luxury Manhattan apartment.

James Rackover was sentenced to about 29 years to life on Wednesday for the 2016 murder of Stamford, Connecticut resident Joseph Comunale. It's not clear what triggered the deadly violence.

Authorities say partygoers were drinking and snorting cocaine. Comunale's body was shoved out of a window and stuffed in a car trunk. It was taken to Oceanport, New Jersey, where it was torched and buried in a makeshift grave.

The Daily News says his father, Patsy Comunale, called Rackover a "coward" who "has no place in a free society." Two other defendants are awaiting trial.

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