Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of NISEAN GRAVES, 36, to 18 years in state prison for fatally stabbing 36-year-old Antonio Eggleston in broad daylight on a Midtown street in June 2023. A New York Supreme Court jury found GRAVES guilty on one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree on March 10, 2025.
“Nisean Graves senselessly killed Antonio Eggleston, a complete a stranger, on a busy public street,” said District Attorney Bragg. “His extremely vicious conduct left a family in mourning, and I hope that this significant prison sentence can give them some sense of justice. Our Office takes unprovoked acts of violence very seriously as we work hand in hand with our law enforcement partners to ensure accountability in these cases.”
As proven at trial, on June 9, 2023, at approximately 8:15 a.m., Mr. Eggleston was in Midtown with a friend when GRAVES approached and punched him, without any provocation. A fight began and spilled into the middle of the street on the corner of West 30th Street and 7th Avenue. During the fight, GRAVES pulled out a knife and swung it at Mr. Eggleston several times. GRAVES stabbed Mr. Eggleston in the heart, killing him.
GRAVES then walked away but was immediately arrested near the scene. Officers recovered the bloody knife from his pocket.
Assistant D.A.s Adam Birnbaum and Katelyn Damanis handled the prosecution of the case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Annie Siegel and Harrison Schweiloch (Deputy Chiefs of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Diana Argilagos (Trial Bureau 60); Senior Rackets Investigators John D’Alessio and Peter Salerno; Digital Forensic Video Analyst Eduard Izro; and Forensic Sciences Unit Investigative Analysts Rachel Horowitz and Sonya Woolward provided invaluable assistance in this case. Former Summer Law Fellows Rianna Iorillo (currently an Assistant D.A. of Trial Bureau 80) and Alphonso Gentry (currently an Assistant D.A. of Trial Bureau 70) also provided assistance.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, in particular Detective Oscar Diaz (Manhattan South Homicide Squad), Detectives Robert Rivera and Stephan Kroski (Midtown South Precinct Detective Squad), Sergeant Jose-Caba-Grillo (Midtown South Precinct), Detective Specialist Nazir Nazary (formerly Midtown South Precinct), and Officers Gina Lagattolla (Midtown South Precinct), Shaun Enright (formerly Midtown South Precinct) and Matthew Torres (Midtown South Precinct). He also thanked Detective Monique Bakirdjian (NYPD Crime Scene Unit).
He also thanked Sergeant Christopher Guastamacchia and the MTA Police Department.
Defendant Information:
NISEAN GRAVES
New York, NY
Convicted:
- Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
Sentenced:
- 18 years in state prison
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