Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of ASSAMAD NASH, 27, to 30 years-to-life in state prison for fatally stabbing 35-year-old Christina Yuna Lee inside her Chinatown apartment in February 2022. On June 18, 2024, NASH pleaded guilty in a New York State Supreme Court to one count each of Murder in the Second Degree and Burglary in the First Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony.
“Christina Yuna Lee was killed in an unthinkably horrific manner in her own apartment at the hands of Assamad Nash,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Ms. Yuna Lee was a creative, kind and joyful person and her death not only devastated her family but left a lasting impact on an entire community. I hope the resolution of this case offers comfort and a sense of justice for everyone that has been touched by Ms. Yuna Lee’s life and this tragedy. May her legacy be celebrated for years to come.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, and as admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, on February 13, 2022, at approximately 4:20 a.m., Ms. Yuna Lee entered her apartment building near Grand Street and Chrystie Street. NASH followed her into the building and up six flights of stairs to her apartment. As Ms. Yuna Lee entered her apartment, NASH ran up behind her, pushed his way inside and attempted to sexually assault her.
At approximately 4:22 a.m., Ms. Yuna Lee’s neighbors called 9-1-1 after hearing sounds of a struggle, including Ms. Yuna Lee screaming for help. A few minutes later, police officers arrived at Ms. Yuna Lee’s apartment and heard her screams but were unable to breach the door to gain entry. NASH attempted to flee the apartment through the fire escape but went back inside after spotting a police officer on the roof above him.
At approximately 5:40 a.m., officers broke down the apartment door and found NASH hiding under the mattress of Ms. Yuna Lee’s bed and a bloodied kitchen knife hidden behind the dresser. In the bathroom, officers found Ms. Yuna Lee with at least 40 stab wounds, including to her head, neck and torso. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Assistant D.A.s Dafna Yoran (Senior Trial Counsel of Trial Bureau 70) and Dasha Kabakova handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Police Department, particularly Detective Caballero of the 5th Precinct Detective Squad, the other members of the NYPD’s 5th Precinct and the Emergency Services Unit for their assistance with the investigation.
Defendant Information:
ASSAMAD NASH
New York, NY
Convicted:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-1 felony, one count
- Burglary in the First Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, a class B felony, one count
Sentenced:
- 30 years-to-life in state prison
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