Trevon Murphy, a 42-year-old man who embarked on a terrifying stabbing spree targeting homeless men in New York City in the summer of 2022, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The attacks, which left one man dead and two critically injured, spanned nearly a week.
Murphy had pleaded guilty in January to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. The victims were all homeless men, sleeping outdoors in various parts of the city when they were attacked.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in a statement, emphasized the vulnerability of the victims. “New Yorkers who face the painful and difficult experience of being unhoused shouldn’t have to simultaneously fear for their safety,” he said.
The first attack occurred on July 5, 2022, when Murphy stabbed a man sleeping on a bench in Hudson River Park. The victim, a 34-year-old man, died shortly after being admitted to Bellevue Hospital. Four days later, Murphy attacked a 59-year-old man sleeping on a bench in Midtown Manhattan. The final attack took place on July 11, when Murphy stabbed a man sleeping in a basketball court on the Upper East Side.
Murphy, who was also homeless, told officers he specifically targeted the lower abdomen of each victim, referring to it as the “stabber’s choice.” He was arrested on July 13, 2022, with a knife found in his pants pocket.
Murphy's attorney claimed his client was “severely unmedicated and mentally ill” during the plea agreement. However, this did not deter the court from handing down a severe sentence.
“While today’s sentence will not bring back an innocent life lost and cannot undo the pain two New Yorkers face, I hope it provides a sense of comfort and closure,” Bragg said.
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