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Esteban Esono-Asue, 38, also known as Steven Hutcherson,
appeared for sentencing in state court in Manhattan, where a
jury convicted him of assault and other charges in June. A judge
ordered him to serve 26 to 29 years behind bars.
Prosecutors said Esono-Asue was sitting at a cafe table in Grand
Central shortly before 11:30 a.m. when he picked up a fork and
scratched a woman's neck. He then took out a knife and stabbed a
16-year-old girl in the back and a 14-year-old girl in the leg,
authorities said. He dropped the knife and surrendered to
police.
The 16-year-old girl suffered lung and diaphragm injuries. All
the victims survived.
“My thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones, who
continue to navigate the psychological and emotional effects
from this horrific attack," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin
Bragg said in a statement. "New Yorkers, commuters and tourists
rely on the transit system daily and deserve to be safe when
they travel, and we will hold those accountable who commit acts
... of violence.”
A lawyer for Esono-Asue, Michael Fineman, did not immediately
return phone and email messages Friday. The motive for the
attack wasn't clear. Witnesses said Esono-Asue made derogatory
comments about white people shortly before the assaults,
according to the criminal complaint. He had initially been
charged with attempted murder and assault as hate crimes.
Earlier in December 2023, Esono-Asue pleaded guilty to an
assault charge and was given a conditional discharge after being
arrested for threatening a man the month before, according to
court records.
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