A man who stalked a woman to her New York City apartment and then brutally murdered her has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Assamad Nash, 27, followed Christina Yuna Lee back to her Chinatown apartment in February 2022, where he “butchered” her by stabbing her more than 40 times.
Nash had previously pleaded guilty on June 18 to murder and burglary, both charges that constituted a sexually motivated offense in the 35-year-old’s killing.
He appeared in court Tuesday wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and a surgical mask, his hands tied.
The judge acknowledged that Nash was mentally ill and gave him the maximum sentence, saying that “there are no drugs available that can protect society.”
Assamad Nash, seen here in court on Tuesday, followed Christina Yuna Lee back to her apartment in February 2022, where he “mutilated” her by stabbing her more than 40 times
Lee was returning from a club when Nash followed her into her Chinatown home and murdered her
Lee, who worked at music streaming platform Splice, had just returned from a club when Nash followed her.
Security footage shows Nash sneaking into her building behind Lee, who didn’t notice her stalker had sneaked in before the front door closed behind her.
Nash kept her distance as the digital producer climbed the six flights of stairs to her apartment, descending one floor herself.
He ran toward her as Lee opened her front door and entered her apartment, police said at the time.
Neighbors were awakened at 4:20 a.m. by Lee’s bloodcurdling screams of “Please help me. Call 911,” and one of them immediately called police.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Dafna Yorna said: ‘As the suspect attempted to tear off Ms Lee’s clothes, Ms Lee managed to grab a knife from her kitchen counter and cut the suspect in the shoulder and torso.
“She ran to her bathroom to get away from him. He followed her and slaughtered her, stabbing and cutting her more than 40 times.”
Within minutes, officers arrived on the scene, but Nash had already barricaded himself in the apartment and tried to force the officers to leave.
Nash was heard telling officers, “I’m alone in the apartment. We’re okay. Nobody’s bleeding. We don’t need any help. Get out. We don’t need the police, I’m okay.”
Security footage shows Nash sneaking into her building behind Lee, who didn’t realize her stalker had sneaked in until the front door closed behind her.
Nash, seen here in 2022, ran toward her as Lee unlocked her front door and entered her apartment, police said at the time.
He then tried to escape via a fire escape, but went back inside when he saw a police officer on the roof above him.
When officers broke down Lee’s apartment door, they found her partially nude body with 40 wounds to her torso, head and neck in the bathtub.
Nash was discovered hiding under a mattress in Lee’s apartment. A bloodstained knife with a yellow hand 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 had a good character and was considerate.
‘She was a very good daughter who always treated her family, friends and the people around her with a smile and kindness.
“She worked hard on her business with a sincere attitude. After Christina died, the remaining family members struggled every day, feeling overwhelmed by longing and regret.
Outside court Tuesday, Lee’s father said he would sue the city for negligence, saying he believed police had not responded adequately
“Why did God allow something so horrible to happen to our family? I just feel resentful that God would put my family through this ordeal.”
District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement: “Christina Yuna Lee was murdered in an unimaginably gruesome manner in her own apartment by Assamad Nash.
Bragg said Lee’s death “has not only devastated her family, but has had a lasting impact on the entire community.”
Outside the courtroom Tuesday, Lee’s father said he would sue the city for negligence, arguing that the police department failed to respond adequately.
He told reporters: ‘While the police arrived at the building two to three minutes after the call, the police were not allowed access to the crime scene for about an hour and twenty minutes. In the meantime, Christina died a brutal death.
“Now that the criminal case against Nash has been concluded, the police must make all information about the incident public. If there was an inappropriate or inadequate response, the individual involved must take appropriate responsibility.”