Man convicted of fatal knife attack on woman in NYC in 2022 receives sentence

Erin Pflaumer and Julie Millet

9 mins ago

CHINATOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) – The man convicted in 2022 of fatally stabbing a woman in her Chinatown apartment is scheduled to be sentenced in a Manhattan court on Tuesday.

Assamad Nash pleaded guilty to killing Christina Yuna Lee the day before Valentine's Day. Prosecutors said surveillance video showed Nash chasing Lee into her Chrystie Street building.

He then followed her up six flights of stairs to her apartment, where he stabbed her at least 40 times, according to prosecutors.

Nash pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and burglary as a sex crime.

The case prompted Mayor Eric Adams to meet with lawmakers in Albany to advocate for changes to bail reform laws.

Nash was arrested just five weeks before Lee's death and charged with several other crimes, but he was released without paying bail. Instead, he was released on probation but did not receive any psychiatric treatment.

After Nash's indictment, Adams created a new emergency task force to address the city's crime, mental health and homelessness issues.

Nash is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison.