Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of Darnell Jackson, 39, for fatally slashing a 72-year-old man in Harlem in an unprovoked New Year’s Day attack. JACKSON is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. [1]
“We allege that Darnell Jackson, without any provocation, brutally slashed a 72-year-old man on the street. A New Year’s trip to the deli should never end in death, and we will continue to hold anyone who commits violence accountable for their actions,” said District Attorney Bragg.
According to court documents and statements made on the record, on January 1, 2025, at approximately 3:40 a.m., JACKSON was standing at a deli on the corner of West 137th Street and Lenox Avenue.
The victim, Alfredo Cortes, was walking with a cane, briefly entered and exited the deli as JACKSON spoke to other people outside.
The victim began walking away from the deli without any interaction with the JACKSON. Eventually, JACKSON spoke in his direction and the victim stopped walking. JACKSON approached the victim, knocked him to the ground and slashed him in the neck, which left a 12-inch laceration.
The victim got up and walked back towards the deli before collapsing on the ground. He was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.
Approximately one hour after the incident, JACKSON walked into the 26th precinct and turned himself in.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Jean Prisco, under the supervision of Chris Prevost (Deputy Chief of the Trial Division) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
Defendant Information:
DARNELL JACKSON
New York, New York
Charged:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.