DA VANCE: JULIUS GRAHAM SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STABBING FIVE STRANGERS IN RIVERSIDE PARK
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., recently announced the sentencing of JULIUS GRAHAM, 44, to 23 years in state prison and 5 years of post-release supervision for stabbing five people in Riverside Park in October 2013. On April 21, 2015, GRAHAM pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to four counts of Assault in the First Degree as well as one count of Assault in the Second Degree.
“With a pair of old scissor blades, Julius Graham turned a peaceful New York City morning into a nightmare for five strangers,” said District Attorney Vance. “The survivors of this unprovoked attack were everyday New Yorkers attempting to enjoy an outing in one of our city’s finest parks: a woman jogging, a man walking his dog, and even an 18-month-old being pushed in a stroller by his father. I would like to thank the good Samaritan who helped apprehend Graham, as well as the prosecutors in my Office who ensured that justice was served following this extreme and random act of violence.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and statements made on the record in court, at approximately 8:00 a.m. on October 1, 2013, GRAHAM attacked five strangers in Riverside Park near West 64th Street. Using blades from a broken pair of scissors, GRAHAM randomly approached and stabbed the victims in a matter of minutes. A bystander apprehended GRAHAM, and was able to restrain him until NYPD officers arrived on the scene.
Assistant District Attorney Shanda Strain, Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 40, handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Armand Durastanti, Chief of Trial Bureau 40, and Executive Assistant District Attorney John Irwin, Chief of the Trial Division. Assistant District Attorney Erin Pilnyak assisted with the case.
District Attorney Vance thanked members of the NYPD’s 20th Precinct.
Defendant Information:
JULIUS GRAHAM, D.O.B. 9/10/1970
Bronx, NY
Convicted:
- Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, four counts
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
Sentenced:
- 23 years in state prison
- 5 years post-release supervision