Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr., today announced the sentencing of JOHN WRIGHT, 36, for stabbing and killing 24-year-old Carlos Rosario in Midtown in December 2022 following a dispute that initially started over a cigarette. WRIGHT was sentenced to 19 years in state prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree on February 8, 2024.
“John Wright stabbed and killed Carlos Rosario during a dispute that started about something as small as a cigarette. John Wright is being held accountable for his actions, but this prison sentence will not bring Mr. Rosario back to his friends and family,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My thoughts are with his loved ones as they grieve his loss.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record, on December 6, 2022, Mr. Rosario and his coworker were standing together outside a store in Midtown West. Mr. Rosario’s coworker asked WRIGHT’s girlfriend for a cigarette, and all four individuals began arguing.
As the argument escalated and turned physical, WRIGHT and two others chased Mr. Rosario and his coworker, punching and kicking Mr. Rosario. WRIGHT pulled a knife out of his backpack and stabbed Mr. Rosario once in the chest. He died in the hospital shortly after the incident.
WRIGHT fled the scene and was apprehended two weeks later in the Bronx.
Assistant D.A.s Kavita Bovell (Deputy Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 50) and Sean Flatow (Trial Bureau 50) handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Jessica Lynn (Chief of Trial Bureau 50) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
D.A. Bragg thanked Detectives Liam Donnellan and Troy Pastore from the Midtown South Detective Squad and Detective Brian McCarthy from Manhattan South Homicide, along with Investigator Jonathan Reid and his crew from the New York County District Attorney’s Office Investigations Bureau, especially Investigators Josellina Nardulli and Genesis De Luna.
Defendant Information:
JOHN WRIGHT
New York, New York
Convicted:
- Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 19 years in state prison, 5 years post-release supervision
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