Alex Ray Scott, who transitioned into a woman in jail, was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years and a maximum of life in prison for the brutal murder of Kenneth Savinski in his Upper East Side apartment. Scott had previously received a 45-year sentence in Oklahoma for dismembering another man with a chainsaw.
Alex Ray Scott, a transgender killer, was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of a minimum of 22 years and a maximum of life in prison on Thursday for the murder of Kenneth Savinski, an Upper East Side antiques dealer. Scott, who began transitioning into a woman in jail, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and multiple counts of criminal possession in Savinski's death.
Scott and Savinski met on a dating app and were sharing a night out together on Jan. 27, 2020 when they went to Savinski's apartment. Prosecutors said Savinski was found with wounds on the head and neck, including a broken hyoid bone, a slit throat and large, deep lacerations across his face and forehead. He was found covered in blood and pronounced dead at the scene.
22-Year Minimum Sentence for Transgender Killer in NYC Antiques Dealer Murder
After the killing, Scott stole credit cards from Savinski and said he didn't remember the attack, according to an indictment. He later walked into a New York police precinct and admitted to killing someone in an unrelated case. He was found with credit cards belonging to Robin Skocdopole, prompting investigators to check Skocdopole's home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma when he was unable to be reached.
Authorities found Skocdopole's home empty of all its possessions and pools of blood inside. His remains were eventually found in May 2020 on the edge of a creek in Broken Arrow. A medical examiner's report said two different saws were used during Skocdopole's dismemberment.
22-Year Minimum Sentence for Transgender Killer in NYC Antiques Dealer Murder
Scott was renting a room from Skocdopole and told everyone that the landlord had abruptly moved to Dallas for work, in an effort to explain the disappearance. Upon his arrest, Scott agreed to take the FBI to the location of Skocdopole's head, but no additional remains were found.
Scott's attorney, Heidi Silverman, said in a statement that Scott "regrets the pain and suffering caused by these two senseless acts of violence." She said Scott "is committed to continuing her transition and to becoming a productive member of society upon her release."
22-Year Minimum Sentence for Transgender Killer in NYC Antiques Dealer Murder
Manhattan District Attorney Bragg said in a statement that Scott "will serve a significant prison term for the brutal and senseless murder of Kenneth Savinski." He said Savinski's loss "not only devastated his friends and family but shocked his tightknit community."
"Although we cannot bring Mr. Savinski back, I hope the resolution of this case offers his loved ones a sense of justice in their ongoing grief," Bragg said.
22-Year Minimum Sentence for Transgender Killer in NYC Antiques Dealer Murder
