Tempe attorney Palmisano sentenced to five years for shooting former client

PHOENIX — Joseph Palmisano, 55, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of probation after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and kidnapping, for shooting in the back the former boyfriend of a law firm employee in 2013.

Palmisano was in a romantic relationship with the woman, who had joint custody of a young child. Custody exchanges were done at her office with the child’s father, the shooting victim, who was a former client of Palmisano’s.

Palmisano was initially charged with attempted murder and kidnapping, but his charges were exchanged for the lower charges as part of a plea agreement, said records from the Maricopa County Superior Court.

The morning of April 18, the victim came to the law office for the exchange, but when he parked his car Palmisano blocked his vehicle behind his, to block him.

Palmisano exited his vehicle with a gun in his hand and pointed it at the victim.  When the victim refused to obey Palmisano’s order to stay out of the office, Palmisano shot him in the back.

When interviewed by police Palmisano admitted to the shooting and said that he had not done anything wrong. He told officers he believed Hall was hacking into the computers of the law office and he wanted to detain the victim for police.

Joseph PalmisanoRyan HallTempe attorney