“Dean Whetzel was walking close to his home when his neighbor for the past five decades, Dana Escoffier, allegedly fatally shoved him to the ground,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My thoughts are with Mr. Whetzel’s loved ones as they continue to mourn his painful loss.”

“As alleged, James Rizzo assaulted two women walking on Manhattan sidewalks within less than a week,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Unprovoked, seemingly random assaults on strangers are deeply disturbing, and will remain a focus for our office in 2026.”

“Mitchaux Booker conducted a prolonged and brutal campaign of sustained physical and emotional abuse of his own cousin, a defenseless, special-needs child,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Booker’s actions, including his decision to delay medical care and lie to authorities to coverup what happened, cruelly cut Jallen McConnie’s life short. No family should ever have to endure such unimaginable heartbreak and devastation, and now, those involved have all been held accountable.”

“Jelani Parker was sentenced to twelve years in state prison for setting a Hamilton Heights apartment building on fire, leaving 35 families without homes and injuring three brave firefighters,” said District Attorney Bragg. “New Yorkers deserve to have safe homes, and shouldn’t have to fear arsonists setting their homes ablaze. I thank the heroic firefighters for responding to the scene and collaborating with our office to keep Manhattanites safe.”

“Geraldo Balbuena brutally murdered his wife of 50 years, viciously stabbing her in the apartment they shared,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Leonilda Nuez Balbuena was a cherished member of her family, and her life should not have ended in such an egregious and reprehensible act of intimate partner violence. For his actions, Balbuena will serve a lengthy prison term, and my thoughts remain with the family as they continue to grieve this devastating loss.”