Manhattan, New York — A man convicted of carrying out a violent subway attack in Hell’s Kitchen has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison, ending a criminal case that prosecutors said involved an especially brutal assault on a fellow commuter.
The sentence was handed down in Manhattan Supreme Court after a jury found 23-year-old Orsen Reyes guilty of attempted murder and other charges stemming from the December 2024 incident.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors disclosed additional details about the attack, describing an assault that went beyond the initial stabbing.
Prosecutors Detail Violent Assault
According to prosecutors, the attack occurred on the northbound C train platform at a subway station in Hell’s Kitchen. Authorities said Reyes stabbed a 48-year-old man before allegedly continuing the assault by repeatedly stomping on the victim’s head.
Prosecutors also told the court that Reyes allegedly attempted to drag the injured man toward the subway tracks during the confrontation.
The victim survived the attack after emergency responders transported him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
His identity has not been publicly released.
Suspect Arrested Shortly After Attack
Police said Reyes left the station following the incident and traveled to the 59th Street–Columbus Circle subway station.
Officers located and arrested him there a short time later. According to investigators, Reyes had blood on both his hands and sneakers when he was taken into custody.
The arrest occurred shortly after the attack, allowing investigators to quickly connect him to the crime scene.
Jury Convicted Defendant of Attempted Murder
Following a trial, jurors unanimously found Reyes guilty on all charges, including the most serious count of attempted murder.
The conviction paved the way for Tuesday’s sentencing in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Before imposing the sentence, Judge Althea Drysdale asked Reyes whether he wanted to postpone the proceeding so he could speak with the Department of Probation.
Initially responding, “I don’t know,” Reyes ultimately declined the opportunity, telling the court:
“It doesn’t matter.”
The judge then imposed a sentence of 12 years in state prison.
Prosecutors Say Victim Feared Participating
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors addressed the challenges they faced while handling the case.
They said the victim, who is undocumented, was unwilling to participate fully in court proceedings because of concerns related to his immigration status.
According to prosecutors, those fears were genuine and affected the legal process.
“Their fear of participating was real,” a prosecutor told the court.
Despite those challenges, prosecutors were able to present sufficient evidence that resulted in Reyes’ conviction.
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Case Comes to a Close
The sentencing marks the conclusion of a case that drew attention because of the violent nature of the attack inside New York City’s transit system.
While the victim survived, prosecutors argued throughout the proceedings that the assault could easily have resulted in an even more tragic outcome.
With Reyes now sentenced, authorities say the case underscores the importance of swift police response and continued efforts to address violent crime within the city’s subway network.
What are your thoughts on safety in public transit systems? Do you believe additional security measures are needed to help prevent violent incidents in subway stations? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
