A man who stalked a woman into her New York City apartment before brutally murdering her has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Assamad Nash, 27, followed Christina Yuna Lee to her Chinatown apartment in February 2022, where he “massacred” her by stabbing her more than forty times.
Nash previously pleaded guilty on June 18 to one count of murder and one count of sexually motivated felony robbery in the killing of the 35-year-old woman.
He appeared in court on Tuesday wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and wearing a surgical mask while his hands were restrained.
The judge acknowledged that Nash was mentally ill and imposed the maximum sentence, saying that “there are no medications available that can protect society.”
Assamad Nash, seen here in court on Tuesday, followed Christina Yuna Lee to her apartment in February 2022, where he “massacred” her by stabbing her more than forty times.
Lee was returning from a club when Nash followed her to her home in Chinatown and murdered her.
Lee, who worked at music streaming platform Splice, was returning from a club when Nash followed her.
Security tapes show Nash sneaking into his building behind Lee, who did not notice his stalker. had slipped out before the front door closed behind her.
Nash kept his distance as the digital producer climbed the six flights of stairs to his apartment, taking one floor lower as she went.
He attacked her as Lee opened the front door and entered her apartment, police said at the time.
Neighbors were awakened at 4:20 a.m. by Lee’s bloodcurdling screams: “Please help me. Call 911,” and one of them immediately called police.
Deputy District Attorney Dafna Yorna said: ‘As the defendant attempted to tear off Ms Lee’s clothes, she managed to grab a knife from her kitchen and slash the defendant across the shoulder and torso.
“She ran to the bathroom to escape from him. He followed her and dismembered her, stabbing and cutting her more than 40 times.”
Officers responded within minutes, but Nash had barricaded himself inside the apartment and tried to force them out.
Nash was heard telling officers: ‘I’m alone in the apartment. We’re fine. Nobody’s bleeding. We don’t need help. Go away. We don’t need the police, I’m fine.’
Security tapes show Nash sneaking into her building behind Lee, who didn’t realize her stalker had entered before the front door closed behind her.
Nash, seen here in 2022, lunged at her as Lee opened the front door and entered her apartment, police said at the time.
He then attempted to flee down a fire escape, but returned inside after seeing a police officer on the roof above him.
When officers broke down the door to Lee’s apartment, they found her partially nude body with 40 wounds to her torso, head and neck inside the bathtub.
Nash was discovered hiding under a mattress inside Lee’s apartment. A yellow-handled knife stained with blood from Lee’s kitchen set was found hidden behind a dresser.
According to the New York Daily NewsLee’s father, Sungkon Lee, told the court: ‘Christina was good-natured and considerate.
‘She was a truly good daughter who always treated her family, friends and people around her with a smile and kindness.
‘She worked hard at her company with a sincere attitude. After Christina died, the remaining family members have struggled to live each day, feeling overwhelmed by nostalgia and regret.
Outside court Tuesday, Lee’s father said he would sue the city for negligence, believing the police response was inadequate.
“Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen to our family? I feel resentful that God is giving my family this terrible experience.”
While District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement: ‘Christina Yuna Lee was murdered in an incredibly horrible way in her own apartment at the hands of Assamad Nash.
Bragg said Lee’s death “not only devastated his family but left a lasting impact on an entire community.”
Outside court Tuesday, Lee’s father said he would sue the city for negligence, believing the police response was inadequate.
He told reporters: “Although the police arrived at the building two or three minutes after the call, they were not able to enter the crime scene until about an hour and twenty minutes had passed since their arrival. In the meantime, Christina suffered a cruel death.
‘Now that the criminal case against Nash has concluded, the police must disclose all information about the incident and, if there was an incorrect or inadequate response, the relevant person must be held accountable.’
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