Man who stabbed teenage tourists at iconic NYC train station gets 26 years in prison
Esteban Esono-Asue, 38, also known as Steven Hutcherson, appeared for sentencing in state court in Manhattan, where a jury convicted him of assault and other charges in June. A judge ordered him to serve 26 to 29 years behind bars.
Prosecutors said Esono-Asue was sitting at a cafe table in Grand Central shortly before 11:30 a.m. when he picked up a fork and scratched a woman's neck. He then took out a knife and stabbed a 16-year-old girl in the back and a 14-year-old girl in the leg, authorities said. He dropped the knife and surrendered to police.
The 16-year-old girl suffered lung and diaphragm injuries. All the victims survived.
'My thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones, who continue to navigate the psychological and emotional effects from this horrific attack," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. "New Yorkers, commuters and tourists rely on the transit system daily and deserve to be safe when they travel, and we will hold those accountable who commit acts ... of violence.'
A lawyer for Esono-Asue, Michael Fineman, did not immediately return phone and email messages Friday. The motive for the attack wasn't clear. Witnesses said Esono-Asue made derogatory comments about white people shortly before the assaults, according to the criminal complaint. He had initially been charged with attempted murder and assault as hate crimes.
Earlier in December 2023, Esono-Asue pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was given a conditional discharge after being arrested for threatening a man the month before, according to court records.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The weirdo on a true crime Facebook page was suspiciously well informed about the savage slaughter. As his posts grew darker, a police chief noticed... and saw the truth: JAMES PATTERSON's forensic account of the Idaho murders
Panic sweeps the small American town of Moscow and the campus of the University of Idaho in mid-November 2022 as word spreads that four students have been found dead in their beds, brutally and mercilessly stabbed in a rental house on King Road. Everywhere, phones are pinging with a warning from the university authorities: 'Police investigating homicide. Suspect is not known at this time. Stay away from the area and shelter in place.' Overhead, helicopters are hovering; sniffer dogs roam the campus.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Tech expert who helped cops investigate disappearance of a California realtor now charged with his murder
A California man who initially helped authorities investigate the disappearance of a well-known realtor has now been arrested and charged with his murder. Audrik Matevosian, 21, who had previously worked as an IT specialist for the slain realtor, Robert 'Bob' Boyajian, is facing charges of first-degree murder and grand theft in connection with the 75-year-old's death. Boyajian, a respected figure in California's real estate industry for nearly 45 years, was reported missing on Monday after he failed to appear at a company meeting. An employee, concerned for his welfare, called 911 asking for a check at the real estate boss' Bass Lake home. When Madera County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived, they discovered Boyajian's truck, briefcase, and Apple Watch at the residence - but his phone, wallet, and bedding were missing. Matevosian, who handled IT work at the property, assisted deputies in attempting to access Boyajian's home security footage, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, after obtaining a warrant, investigators discovered a $1,000 ATM withdrawal made from Boyajian's account the night before the 911 call. The transaction took place around 8:30 p.m. at a bank in Clovis - approximately 47 miles from Bass Lake. ATM surveillance footage showed a young man successfully making the withdrawal, followed by two failed attempts - that individual was later identified as Matevosian, the IT worker. Deputies had previously contacted Matevosian to for the password and apps to access Boyajian's home security system. 'He showed them what apps to download, passwords, but deputies were still unable to access the footage,' Sheriff Tyson Pogue said during a Thursday news conference. Although Matevosian initially helped deputies locate a missing DVR from the home's security system, suspicion intensified after the ATM footage confirmed he had accessed Boyajian's account just hours before the realtor was reported missing. Investigators later learned that Matevosian had purchased a body bag on Amazon days before the murder. He also allegedly rented a vehicle in Fresno on Monday and drove up to Boyajian's home the previous Saturday. According to Pogue, Matevosian spent the night at Boyajian's home after completing an IT task, and is believed to have murdered Boyajian around midnight. Authorities have not yet disclosed how the 75-year-old realtor was killed. Madera County deputies believe Matevosian murdered Boyajian while he slept, then transported the body to the Mojave Desert, where it was buried in a cave. Investigators eventually recovered Boyajian's body along with his belongings, including his phone and wallet, which were found at various locations connected to Matevosian. Also during the investigation, two firearms were found in Matevosian's bedroom, including a 9mm handgun reported stolen in March and a 10mm handgun belonging to Boyajian. Deputies also recovered the shovel used in the burial. 'This is a deeply disturbing case of betrayal and premeditated violence,' Sheriff Pogue said. Pogue described the crime as 'calculated and callous,' noting that Matevosian had no prior criminal history. 'This was a calculated and callous act against a respected member of our community,' Pogue said. 'We are committed to bringing justice to Mr. Boyajian's family.' Matevosian, who reportedly viewed Boyajian as a mentor, initially told investigators that Boyajian had died by suicide. However, he later changed his story, claiming he had helped Boyajian end his life. Ultimately, he confessed to the murder, stating that financial gain was a motive and alleging that Boyajian had spoken negatively about his family. Matevosian is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Thug who ran up and kicked girl, 6, in the head on a street and punched woman in face in random attacks jailed
A 'DANGEROUS' thug has been arrested after kicking a six-year-old girl in the street. The youngster was rushed to hospital after the 28-year-old targeted her on a busy street. 2 2 Caitalin Ganciu approached the unnamed girl in Millfield, Peterborough, and knocked her to the ground with a brutal kick. After striking her, he stopped to help her to her feet before fleeing the scene of the crime. The six-year-old was rushed to hospital after Ganciu made his escape. Later, a woman offered to help Ganciu after spotting him waving her arms. When she went into a nearby shop to get him some water, he followed her inside and punched her in the face. Ganciu then fled again, though police were able to pursue him. Before he was arrested, Ganciu viciously punched an officer in the abdomen. Eventually, he was bundled into the back of a police van where he violently kicked the vehicle's interior. Ganciu was hauled before Cambridge Crown Court on July 16 where he was handed a one year and seven month sentence. He pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm, one count of assault and one count of criminal damage. Yobs jump on moving police van & set off flares in clash with cops after small boat migrant 'sexually assaulted' girl Following Ganciu's arrest, DC Hannah Cookie said that he was a 'dangerous' man. She said: 'This was an horrific series of unprovoked attacks by Ganciu, and I have no doubt that his actions will have a lasting impact on the victims. 'He is clearly a very dangerous man who has no respect for other people, or the law. "Ganciu caused minor injuries to all three of his victims, and the six-year-old girl had to be taken to hospital to be checked over. 'Violence like this is inexcusable, especially towards a young child, and I am pleased he is now behind bars.'
