Brett Knight Sentenced to 22 Years for Murder of Ross Reisner

Brett Knight, a 47-year-old Utah native, was sentenced Tuesday to 22 years in prison for the murder of equestrian Ross Reisner and attempted murder of Reisner’s partner Kevin Murray.

On the evening of September 24, 2013, Knight fired a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson 11 times through the kitchen window of Reisner and Murray’s Setauket home, according to authorities.

Reisner was fatally wounded, and a bullet grazed Murray’s arm.

Just a few months prior, Reisner and Bobby Ginsberg, of Southampton Riding Club, opened Maple Tree Farm, a show barn in Mattituck.

Knight was arrested October 13, 2013, and indicted by a grand jury three days later.

The Suffolk County district attorney’s office said Knight met the victims in the early 1990s and moved into their home after American Express fired him following 18 years of employment.

“Knight’s relationship with the pair deteriorated when he became convinced they interfered in his wrongful termination lawsuit filed against Am Ex,” the DA’s office stated. “Knight settled out of court with the company and was eventually evicted from his basement apartment after he assaulted Kevin Murray in 2010.”

The DA’s office further stated, “Knight told homicide detectives Reisner and Murray betrayed him and destroyed his life.”

Knight pleaded guilty in December to second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and three counts of aggravated harassment.