Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of JARROD POWELL, 51, to 22 years in state prison for his violent attack on 61-year-old Yao Pan Ma that resulted in Mr. Ma’s death. On January 12, 2023, POWELL pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree as a Hate Crime.
“Mr. Ma’s death was the result of a despicable racially motivated attack. His family endured an agonizing eight months in the hospital while the devoted husband and father of two remained in a vegetative state, before succumbing to his injuries on December 31, 2021,” said District Attorney Bragg. “New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and no one should have to fear that they may be in danger because of their background. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that New Yorkers of all origins feel safe.”
As admitted in POWELL’s plea, POWELL targeted Mr. Ma because he was Asian. At approximately 8:15 p.m. on April 23, 2021, POWELL approached Mr. Ma from behind and struck him, knocking him to the ground. While Mr. Ma lay there powerless to defend himself, POWELL stomped on his head numerous times and kicked him repeatedly in the head, face, and neck, causing a traumatic brain injury that required Mr. Ma to be placed on life support.
The Manhattan D.A.’s Office currently has 39 open hate crime cases related to anti-Asian hate crimes. The Office is a safe place to report crimes regardless of your immigration status. If you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call our Hate Crimes Hotline at 212-335-3100.
Assistant D.A. Molly Presant handled the case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Jonathan Junig (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), and Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Former Assistant D.A. Eli Crozier and Trial Preparation Assistant Alec Simon also assisted with the investigation.
D.A. Bragg thanked Detective Lamount Deaderick of the 25th Precinct Detective Squad, as well as members of the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force, for their assistance with the investigation.
Defendant Information:
JARROD POWELL
New York, NY
Convicted:
- Manslaughter in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B violent felony, one count
Sentence
- 22 years in state prison
- 5 years of post-release supervision
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