Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of JESSE DIAZ RAMOS, 33, to 25 years in state prison for stabbing a 32-year-old transgender woman after calling her an anti-gay slur outside of a homeless shelter on Randall’s Island in July 2023. On May 1, 2025, a New York Supreme Court jury found RAMOS guilty of one count each of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime. RAMOS was sentenced on May 29, 2025.  

“Jesse Diaz Ramos was convicted at trial and will serve a significant prison term for viciously stabbing a woman in a homophobic, unprovoked and nearly fatal attack,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Ramos, emboldened by his biases, selected and assaulted the victim, seriously injuring and traumatizing her. I hope the victim can take comfort in knowing that Ramos has been brought to justice and I hope she continues to recover from the reeling effects of this violent conduct.”  

As proven at trial, on July 21, 2023, at approximately 3:15 p.m., RAMOS approached the victim as the victim was waiting at a bus stop outside of a homeless shelter on Randall’s Island. RAMOS asked the victim about her sexual orientation, calling the victim an anti-gay slur. Unprovoked, RAMOS hit the victim in the face and in response, the victim hit RAMOS. RAMOS then hit the victim again, pulled out a knife from his backpack and stabbed the victim once on the left side of the victim’s chest, causing her to suffer a partially collapsed lung, and a punctured stomach and diaphragm. RAMOS also made several attempts to stab the victim again.  

The victim managed to run inside the shelter to flag down officers from the Department of Homeless Services, who helped render aid to her and eventually transported the victim to Harlem Hospital. At the hospital, the victim underwent emergency surgery.  

RAMOS fled the scene and was arrested a few hours later. Officers recovered the backpack.  

If you or someone you know has been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call 911 or report it to our Office at 212-335-3100.  

Assistant D.A.s Shea Donato and Victoria Notaro (Trial Bureau 50) handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) and Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Paralegal Caroline “Ellie” Asher (Trial Bureau 50) and Analyst Sophie Gad (Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau) provided invaluable assistance. 

D.A. Bragg thanked Sergeant Vanessa Cooper of the Department of Homeless Services Police Department.  

 

Defendant Information:
JESSE DIAZ RAMOS
New York, NY

Convicted:

• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B felony, one count
• Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 25 years in state prison

###