Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of KHALIEF YOUNG, 29, to 25 years in state prison for the unprovoked slashing of a tourist in Harlem on Valentine’s Day weekend 2020. A New York State Supreme Court jury found YOUNG guilty of one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the First Degree on December 9, 2022.
“This unconscionable attack nearly took the life of a young man visiting Manhattan for what should have been a joyous occasion,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Everyone deserves to walk the streets of New York City safely and I commend the immense strength of this victim, who recovered from this attack and returned to Manhattan to testify.”
As proven at trial, the 28-year-old victim flew to New York City to visit his girlfriend over Valentine’s Day weekend. The couple ate breakfast at a restaurant in Harlem, left, and walked hand-in-hand down Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. YOUNG followed them for several feet and then suddenly attacked the victim from behind, slashing him on the neck from the ear to the middle of his throat.
YOUNG fled to his grandmother’s apartment building nearby before heading to his home. YOUNG was arrested three days later after he was identified from wanted posters.
The victim was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was treated for a 15-centimeter laceration and underwent a tracheotomy. He was in the Intensive Care Unit for 10 days and required the assistance of a medical care team to fly back home with him and tend to his medical needs.
Assistant D.A.s Erin Tierney (Chief of Trial Bureau 30) and Jillian Shartrand handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Assistant D.A. Maria Luna, Trial Preparation Assistant Haley Feuerman and Digital Evidence Analyst Ryan Strick assisted with the prosecution.
D.A. Bragg thanked Detective Heribert Vasquez of the NYPD and the 32nd Precinct Detective Squad.
Defendant Information:
KHALIEF YOUNG
New York, New York
Convicted:
- Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count
- Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
Sentenced:
- 25 years state prison, 5 years post-release supervision
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