Oddone: A Night That Changed Two Lives
Bouncer Dies; Assault Becomes First Murder In Southampton Village In 20 Years

Guest (Tom52) from New York City says::
It seems to me that Anthony knew what he was doing. He knows how to wrestle. And has been in and gotten out of headlocks and choke holds before. Just look at his left ear.
Oct 5, 2008 9:24 pm

Guest (mamcm) from East Hampton says::
How in God's name does dancing on a table lead to someone's death? Please investigate what happened in that small space of time? I think this is not all that it appears to be. Sadly someone has died but what really happened? I thought the American way was innocent until proven guilty. M
Aug 17, 2008 9:03 pm

Guest (anonomous) from SH,NY says::
The staff at the Publick House in Southampton are like family. There were many people there that night trying to help in whatever way they could. Anyone who thinks differently should be ashamed of themselves. Its not the staff's fault this man was so completely out of control.
Aug 16, 2008 1:20 pm

Guest (anonymous22) from NY says::
You people all ask how myself, MK from LI, and a friend back home from coldenham can defend this guy? None of us has defended what he did. I can't speak for the others but i can speak for myself when i say that I don't think what Anthony did was right, but I also don't think that he deserves to die or spend the rest of his life in jail. I don't believe that he just jumped and killed this guy after the man politely asked him to come down from the table... I can guarantee that if this was a friend of any of yours, you would be as shocked by his actions as all of us that know and love Anthony are.. I can also guarantee you would try to defend your friend on here when you read about people calling him a monster, and murderer, drug addict, etc... You would defend them because you know the real person, not just the one your read about
Aug 15, 2008 7:42 am

Guest (GENINE) from Southampton town says::
This is such a horrible crime, I hope that the man behind this goes away forever, he is evil and should not be walking on our streets. The pain this man has caused his wife and his children, also the friends in the community........ My prays are with his family
Aug 14, 2008 8:07 pm

Guest (anonymous22) from NY says::
For all you people posting on here... were any of you there the night this happened? If you were not there than you have no right to comment on the situation because everything you know is based on heresay and assumptions. If you were there than you really have no right to comment because you obviously didn't do anything to stop it. Anthony has been a friend of mine for 15 years. Yes he had his share of hard times as everyone has. I do not condone what happened but I will stand up for Anthony's character any day to anyone. Anthony is a good guy. He has worked his a@@ off to overcome hardships and put himself through school. Trying to be somebody. He would never intentionally hurt someone this badly. And as far as getting in a cab, he probably was afraid to get his a@@ kicked by others in the bar. All you people talk about the drugs he must have been on.. Anthony NEVER used drugs. He hated them. He loved golf and racing go carts. My heartfelt sympathies go out the the Reister family. No family should ever have to go through what you are facing at this time. What you people need to realize is that Mr. Reister is not the only tragedy in this situation. Anthony's life, and the lives of his family and friends are also very affected in this incident. The lives of everyone involved will be changed forever. And once again to all of you that were there that night... remember you could have stopped this situation from ever getting this far. You are just as at fault for Mr. Reister's death and Anthony. Anyone could have stepped in and hit him with a bottle, a glass, a punch to the side of the head. Instead most were probably just enjoying what looked like a good fight to them until they realized the severity of this situation. Then they just turned it all on Anthony. Next time you are in a bar and witness a fight... Grow a pair... maybe you will be the hero instead of a loser that stood by and watched as a man lost his life!!!
Aug 14, 2008 11:06 am

Guest (Noah) from East Hampton says::
How can you defend this guy - he was being an ass for trying to dance on a table to begin with. What do you expect when you do things like that? For people to be OK with it, for the bar to condone it? Were you there -- did you stop Anthony? It's a prime example of the stupidity of being impaired. This hard working man who was just simply working another night to support his family, lost his life for no other reason than Anthony trying to be a big shot! It's absolutely terrible. And as far as Anthony, he should know, which I'm sure he does NOW, that he is ultimately suffering from his own actions. You can be the nicest guy in the world, but all it takes is the wrong situation to reverse all of that.
Aug 14, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (A friend from back home.) from Coldenham says::
First I want to send my thoughts and prayers to the reister family. I am truely sorry for your loss. Anthony has no martial arts training and was not in the marines. He grew up in a small town like most of you reading this. He has been working since he was a very young man to help his mom. He worked his ass off to put himself through school. He raced go-carts and played golf. He always stood up for his friends and family. I understand that there are many people out there that would like to see him in life forever. Maybe they arent wrong. However.... there are people who love anthony just as you love andrew and we are just as upset that our friends life may be over too. It was a terrible thing that happened but anthony has never done anything like. Get to know someone before you throw your opinions out there. Terrible accidents happen.
Aug 13, 2008 2:48 pm

Guest (Matt) from Barkers Island RD, SH says::
MK, You have a real set of balls defending this animal on this page. "Please know that" nobody cares about how much "Tony is loved, supported, and missed at this time". Seriously. He is alive. A father of 2 is dead and family has been destroyed by Tony's hands. Literally. Tony's life should be destroyed as well. It is of no consequence how "bright" you, or any of the other losers out there who have pathetically attempted to defend this murderer’s character, believed his future was worth. I mean, at a minimum he is a 25 year old college student caddie who lived with his girlfriend and her parents that was dancing on a table at 1:15 am drunk off his a—in a bar on ladies night that strangled someone. If that ain’t a loser I don’t know what is. By the way, was the girlfriend there at the time. I can’t help but feel that she must be so proud of her “man’. My sincerest condolences to the Reister family.
Aug 13, 2008 12:05 pm

Guest (Matt) from Barkers Island Rd., SH says::
Hey "A friend from back home"< Wishful thinking. Your "friend" Tony's life is over. "Terrible accidents happen." Are you kidding me? He wrapped his arms around Reister's neck and choked him until he was dead. Why? Because he was asked to get his pathetic apparently white trash ass off off a table. You make it sound like he lost control of his car on the LI and killed him. As for the many, many people who have "thrown" their opinions out here concerning your "friend", that's our right loser. Notably, I grew up with a lot of not so good people in NYC and none of them ever choked anyone to death. You picking up what I am putting down? Your friend was likely always a piece of [sic]. It was just that you and all of the others that "love" and "support" him were too stupid to figure it out. Now he killed someone. Who's gonna take care of his mommy "now"? Who cares? The important question is who's gonna take care of Reister's 2 kids?
Aug 13, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Anonymous) from Hamptons says::
First I would like to start off by sending my deepest condolences to the Reister family including his wife, two young daughters, and incredibly loving family. This is a tragedy that has struck a chord in so many of us because it was an unnecessary act of violence that took the life of an innocent man who was loved by SO many. Words cannot explain how loved Andrew was and forever will be. His daughters will go on and make him the proudest father ever. For those of who pointing fingers at the Publick House management - I must be reading incorrectly. How in the WORLD can you place blame on a bar/restaurant (who by the way is grieving the loss of Andrew more than most of the people "blogging" on this site as the PH staff are very tight knit/family environment) when things like this can happen anywhere in the world. Is it their faults they didn't predict this psychopath from crying about being asked to stop dancing on the table, therefore choking a man until he lies unconscious?! IS IT????????? For those of you defending Andrew's murderer by using the Publick House as a scapegoat...newsflash: your buddy-boy was NOT letting go of Andrew's throat no matter who was kicking his side and pulling at him. Keep defending him and see what happens. To top it off - this coward FLED THE SCENE! Coward is a compliment... I, myself, am 25 years old and I have to say - no respectable guy my age dances on tables at 1 a.m. then cries about it when asked to get down. Are we all there at 1 a.m. (closing it down at 4 a.m.) just as drunk? Yes and proudly so!! However, we do NOT behave in a way that this poor excuse for a human being does. Note to the murderers friends: guilty by association. Being wasted is no excuse for taking an INNOCENT life, and did I mention running away from the scene? Had to add that in one more time. Clearly his actions go beyond his level of intoxication that night. Anger management maybe?? Not right in the head?? Justice will be served. He will never have his life back again (or maybe when he's a senior citizen but the way it sounds and the court system goes - probably and hopefully never again. He'll never know what it's like to have a child or raise a family(thankfully), or swing a golf club and smell the fresh air on top of that green. And by god i dare to say it - he will never, ever in his life dance on a table ever again.
Aug 13, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (anonymous22) from NY says::
First off Oddone WAS NOT A MARINE!!!! EVER!!! Secondly he has no martial arts training. Yes he can drink and yes he has a temper. I would love to hear an actual account from someone who was there that night. Why they didn't step in and do something... Was everyone that scared of a guy who is only about 6'1 or 6'2" and maybe 170-190.. Give me a break. A kick in the side would have released the choke
Aug 12, 2008 11:42 am

Guest (MK) from LI says::
First and most importantly my heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of those who know and love Mr. Reister. The thoughts and prayers of myself and my family will be with his family during this awful time they are facing. His death was untimely, unfair, and tragic. My family and I know Anthony Oddone and have had the opportunity to know the funny, handsome, bright, and caring person that he is. This event has been tragic for all of those who know and love Tony as well. He is a hard working student and caddie and has been an optimistic and helpful friend to his classmates, teammates, and many who know him. The words murderer, animal, drug addict, and so on that have been used to describe Tony in various blogs over the last week are the furthest thing from a true description of him. This was an unfortunate and life changing sequence of events that has left this 25 year old who had a bright future in a position that he nor his friends would ever have expected. Please know that Tony is loved, supported, and missed at this time. Again, to Mr. Resiter's family and friends, may you find comfort in one another during the coming weeks and may you never have to experience hurt like this again.
Aug 12, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (John Kluge S.H.S class of 1986) from now in San Diego, CA says::
This is truly sad time in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with Andrew's family.
Aug 11, 2008 10:38 pm

Guest (Sag Harbor Local) from Sag Harbor, NY says::
Steve from Quogue; I'm sure if you were there, you would have been one of the on-lookers not doing a single thing to get this guy off the bouncer. When dealing with a marine who is apparently drunk and on other drugs I'm not sure what kind of training a bouncer would have to go through to handle this. The killer is a bum who deserves whatever comes his way in the courts. And for having "no way to get this guy off the bouncer" I'm sure a whiskey bottle over the skull would have done the trick quite easily!
Aug 11, 2008 3:56 pm

Guest (Amy) from Stony Brook says::
For all that need wake and service information for Andrew or would like information on how to donate to his wonderful family please visit www.AndrewReisterWelfareFund.spaces.live.com
Aug 11, 2008 3:10 pm

Guest (Michael) from Southampton Village says::
What a shame for the Public House ownership. Obviously a big law suit will be placed on this establishment but its all too late....a man has been murdered and now his family his left with his absence.
Aug 11, 2008 9:48 am

Guest (Steve) from Quogue, NY says::
It is unfortunate that an incident like this happened. I find it strange that no one could have broken this up prior. The man was outweighed by almost 100 pounds, apparently didnt have any martial arts training and still choked out a bouncer/corrections officer. He wasnt the only bouncer there either? I just illustrates the primative defensive training the officers have when it comes to altercations. This guy (at the time) was not a criminal but was drunk, small and the situation should have been easily handled. Correction officers and bouncers should have more training or not take on the job for the sole purpose of the money.
Aug 11, 2008 1:43 am

Guest (Philip) from Southampton says::
First and foremost: God bless and keep Andrews family. My initial impression was and may still be, the death penalty. I do not accept drunk as an defense and I don't like it as an excuse. Somewhere it seems Oddone was a marine. We as a society prepare these guys to kill. People with little or no experience send them to terrible places to do terrible things and when they come back they don't even get severance pay, much less training for returning to "our" society. Oddone's life is over and it should be. The question is: will this tragedy be repeated??
Aug 11, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (local dad) from Sag Harbor says::
To Steve from Quogue: Are you actually criticizing the victims' training and questioning his position as a Correction Officer and his reasons for working as a bouncer? He's dead! You should be questioning why the jerk dancing on the table wasn't stopped. Recently a man opened fire with a shotgun at a church - not only did someone stand in front of him at point blank to protect the people around him but he was taken down by unarmed parishioners. Were there no chairs, was no one holding a beer bottle? - You cannot convince me that there was no way to stop this guy. Stop talking about politics and questioning motives -- Start looking at our responsibilities as a community to prevent these ridiculous acts of violence.
Aug 11, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (anm) from southampton says::
All the best goes out to this poor victim's family. What a loss. My question is why was this place as one person reported "shoulder to shoulder" packed? Doesn't this so called "nice family owned place" have any type of an occupancy code enforced?? Not such a "nice" place after all. It's just another bar in The Hamptons, don't kid yourselves out-of-towners. When you want to get drunk for cheap, go to this place- it maybe prettier looking than some but its still a watering hole!! Now a cursed watering hole!! God watch over The Reister family.
Aug 11, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Shedding some light) from suffolk county NY says::
Anthony Oddone, has no training in martial arts, was never a marine. Yes, he has a drinking problem and gets rowdy. There is more to this story than is being told. There were numerous bouncers there and a kick to the throat or bottle over the head would have released his choke hold. He will be getting off this charge on self defense.
Aug 11, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (twocents) from Northport says::
I will not let this deter me from going to this place. I have been there in the past and it has first class beer & no rowdy patrons. The place's record speaks for itself -- no problems in the many years it has been in business. Neither will I condemn the owner, barkeep, other bouncer or anyone else. I cannot judge what people did or did not do. Personally, I would have found a sharp instrument and gone for the carotid or jugular. Trouble is, we have decades now of a mindset that to defend oneself is an offense. Hindsight is always 20/20 and we can armchair quarterback all we want. It sadly does not change the fact this guy died and apparently some of that @#$%@# Oddone's acquaintances are trying to white-wash him. If he was drunk and/or high. Nobody held a gun to his head to force him to drink or shoot up or whatever. At some point he made the choice to put it up his nose, in his arm or in his mouth... and set the whole tragic chain of affairs in motion. Furthermore, he had the presence of mind to attempt to run which demonstrates that he comprehended that what he had done was WRONG!!! To me, that is the real test of whether or not someone is crazy, drunk, or whatever. It infuriates me when someone will use the excuse that they were drunk, they were crazy, but they know enough to run from the law, lie in an attempt to avoid punishment, obviously demonstrating a total understanding of right and wrong. Tie the SOB over a fire-ant colony. Those little suckers live for these things.
Aug 11, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (local ) from hampton bays says::
What a senseless tragedy. Peace to Andrew and all the best to his wife and children. I've heard a lot of different stories about the Publick House, how it is a very rowdy place and yet disguises itself as a fine, family restaurant. Well folks, if it were just that, this crime would not have happened. Where is the management? Someone brought the maximum occupancy up, very true, could this have been a more promising outcome had there been enforced codes? We need to protect each other and feel safe where we go. As far as this Oddone idiot... Lets all hope he learns what else he can do with a golf club, once he's sentenced. We can all learn from this terrible tragic event, report things before they happen, example.. bartender- do you think this patron had enough already!!!
Aug 11, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Bill ) from Sagaponack says::
I have jumped up and been very attentive to every altercation that has ever broken out in front of or near me within my lifetime...From third grade, forward. I have often felt foolish with my careless and unselfish reaction to these situations. Although I am 6'6" tall and weigh 285lbs...these weren't my stats in third grade ! Was there not some one there that evening that cared...a little ? This is so unfortunate and sad across the board...for the Reister's, The Sullivan's, this wonderful community. PEOPLE...be aware...look around...pitch in and stop being selfish. Stop worrying about what type of beach day tomorrow will be so that you can get your "monies worth" and try to get back to resembling human beings ! At least PRETEND that you care. Maybe GOOD KARMA will get you a great parking space one day ?! Nice Going... Everyone at the Publick House that night. This scenario is mind boggling...totally unreal !
Aug 11, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Justice Seeker) from Southampton, NY says::
1. This guy deserves "the needle" without getting the sedative first. 2. To the management and patrons of the Publick House who let this happen, please don't leave the house without your balls again. 3. To JohnFromLI, this is NOT about you or your union. The tragedy is that this man was murdered, nothing else.
Aug 10, 2008 10:45 pm

Guest (Bruce) from Noyac says::
No doubt this dirt bag was high on coke as well as intoxicated. However even though it was ladies night, some males were present and a beer bottle over the head or a chair broken over his back should have cause him to release his choke hold. I read it takes 3-4 minutes to incur brain damage, someone present should have done something, it this was indeed the amount of time he had the bouncer in a choke hold. It will be interesting to read accounts of what happened that night by those present. He deserves nothing less than the electric chair, however NYS law prohibits it for murder 2nd. I'll stay as far away from this bar as possible!
Aug 10, 2008 12:51 pm

Guest (HamptonsFan) from Dartmouth, Ma says::
I will be visiting your beautiful area and cannot comprehend such a horrific pointless crime. I also cannot understand why all the other men nearby did not immediately restrain this disgusting excuse for a human being. Hope he receives the same vicious treatment in prison. Deepest sympathy to the Oddone family and his friends.
Aug 10, 2008 11:18 am

Guest (Leandro Pichardo) from East Quogue says::
I often wonder how bouncers do it. You never know who may confront you and their state of mind. Police officers are armed and that in itself I feel is a deterent. Most boucers are not.
Aug 10, 2008 9:55 am

Guest (Peculiar Episode) from Centerport, NY says::
Very, very strange to think one man, outweighed by about one hundred pounds, could kill another despite several other bouncers' presence. Newsday reports that even the patrons' friends tried to pull him off. How is this possible? There may be more to this than meets the eye. Given the size disparity self-defense will be an issue. Bouncers NEVER confront a patron physically without back up. Does this patron have martial-arts training?
Aug 10, 2008 9:41 am

Guest (Jim & Mary Newman) from Clara Co Offaly Ireland says::
Our prayers are with the Reister family. There are no words of comfort that can ease the pain of this loss. God bless you Andrew.
Aug 10, 2008 7:52 am

Guest (Martin) from Southampton, NY says::
I dont understand how in a packed place like that everyone stood around and watched this townie looser choke a man to death. There must have been a hundred people in there that night. All those cowards should be ashamed. Anthony is a coke-head, skinny , weak, golf caddy. Was there not one man in that place?
Aug 10, 2008 2:36 am

Guest (Saddened) from Southampton says::
Just devastating. My prayers go out to the Reister family. I cannot fathom what they are going through. My prayers also go out to Mr. Oddone. May the sentence be harsh, the remorse be deep and the experience be trying. However I hope he puts forth his best foot and can find some way to make up for this terrible tragedy.
Aug 10, 2008 2:33 am

Guest (JohnFromLI) from LI says::
What a terrible loss for all those who knew Andrew Reister. If our illustrious County Executive had negotiated with the CO's union in good faith, and not jerk them around for six years this horrific crime may have been avoided. Andy's blood is on Mr. Levi's hands as well as the Oddone character, who has in truth ended his own life as well. Six years with no raise and no contract. Call Steven Levy's office and ask him why!! Steve Levy County Executive H Lee Dennison Building 100 Veterans Memorial Highway P.O. Box 6100 Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099 Phone: (631) 853-4000 John From Long Island; SCSO retired
Aug 10, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Alexander) from New York, NY says::
My prayers go out to the family for their loss. He looked like such a sweet man. The murderer looks like a cold hearted nazi who should be put down in the same choke hold he put upon his victim. His organs should then be donated to those that are sick and his body cremated with his ashes flushed in a toilet. He is a disgrace to humanity.
Aug 9, 2008 11:40 pm

Guest (Margot R. Horn) from Southampton,New York says::
I am praying for Andrew as the victim and the young marine that made this mistake due to over indulgence. May God take care of both families ! Margot R. Horn
Aug 9, 2008 11:28 pm

Guest (billc) from southampton says::
i hope this punk gets a murder 1 charge...continuing to choke someone after they already passed out is murdering someone...plain and simple...all because this moron was dancing on a table like a girl...what a loser....r.i.p andy...you'll be missed..
Aug 9, 2008 9:37 pm

Guest (krg fam.) from hampton bays new york says::
Andrew Reister was one of the nicest people we had the pleasure of calling our friend.What a super father and husband and person he was and will always remain in our fondest memories. He is already so missed!This tragedy has touched so very many lives,may his family find solace and strength at this time. What a wonderful family Andrew has all the best to Stacey and the kids. May God be with you all. We Love You.
Aug 9, 2008 8:55 pm

Guest (R Jaeger) from Sag Harbor, NY says::
I am truly sorry to read of this terrible tragedy and my condolences go out to the family.
Aug 9, 2008 6:49 pm

Guest (Joanne R) from Windsor, Ontario..Canada says::
I would like to express my thoughts to the family for their loss. This has happened many times in our city and its very horrible. Please know that people care and are thinking of you. Joanne Rusnak
Aug 9, 2008 3:16 pm

Guest (Bill ) from Sagaponack says::
How does microbrewery = murder. This is absolutely INSANE ! God Bless Mr. Reister and his family. As for Mr. Oddone...you were suppose to have some great tasting beer and a good meal. You will soon have a very long time to think about your actions. Andrew is surely in heaven...
Aug 9, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Seaspray67) from Southampton, NY says::
I have been a life long resident of Southampton and am horrified by this incident. What kind of person would do such a thing! What kind of generation are we dealing with that would take the life of an individual so liked and loved by our community. I can only wish that you, his family find solace in knowing that Andrew was a fine and caring individual and we will miss him immensely. Words can not say what the heart feel, but right now, our Southampton hearts are crying ):
Aug 9, 2008 12:00 am