Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the sentencing of LUIS GIL, 21, to 18 years-to-life in state prison for fatally stabbing 33-year-old Hugo Morales in an unprovoked attack on Pier 84 in July 2023. GIL pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to one count of Murder in the Second Degree.

“Hugo Morales was lying on a park bench one summer morning on Pier 84 when Luis Gil fatally stabbed him without provocation, tragically cutting his life short,” said District Attorney Bragg. “While nothing can bring Mr. Morales back, I hope this guilty plea and lengthy prison sentence can serve as a measure of comfort and closure to his loved ones who continue to mourn his loss.”

According to court documents, statements made on the record in court, and as admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, on July 13, 2023, at approximately 6:00 a.m., GIL was sitting on a patch of grass on Pier 84 in Hudson River Park with his friends when Hugo Morales went to lie down on a bench nearby.

GIL approached Mr. Morales and tried to bother him by standing over him, looking at him, putting his bookbag near Mr. Morales’s feet, and walking on the bench. Mr. Morales did not engage with him.

GIL took a large knife out of his backpack and hid it in the pocket of his shorts. A few moments later, GIL walked away, then returned to stab Mr. Morales once in the chest.

GIL immediately fled the scene and entered the subway station at West 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. GIL further fled on an Amtrak train to Chicago. GIL was apprehended on July 17th, 2023, after he arrived at the Chicago train station.

Mr. Morales was taken to Morningside Hospital, where he later died from his stab wound.

Assistant D.A. Sarah Khan (Trial Bureau 40) handled the prosecution of this case with Assistant D.A. Christina Awad (Trial Bureau 40) under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (former Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Former Investigative Analyst McCall Moran provided valuable assistance in the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Jay Poggi of the Midtown North Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Scott Williams of the Detective Borough Manhattan South Homicide Squad and Officers Timothy Riordan and Cheng Pak of the 10th Precinct.

D.A. Bragg also thanked the Amtrak and Chicago Police Departments for their invaluable assistance in this investigation.

 

Defendant Information:

LUIS GIL

Bronx, NY

Convicted:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 18 years-to-life in state prison

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