NYC man sentenced to 22 years for anti-Asian killing of Yao Pan Ma
By Carl Samson
The man who attacked and killed 61-year-old Yao Pan Ma two years ago has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Friday.
Jarrod Powell, 51, pled guilty in January to manslaughter in the first degree as a hate crime in connection with the incident. After his prison term, he will face five years of supervised release.
Ma was collecting cans on Third Avenue and East 125th St. at around 8:15 p.m. on April 23, 2021, when Powell struck him from behind and knocked him to the ground. As he lay helpless on the concrete, Powell repeatedly stomped on and kicked his head, face and neck.
The brutal assault, which was caught on video, resulted in Ma being on life support for the next eight months. He succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 31, 2021.
Ma was one of the many Asian victims of pandemic-era violence that catalyzed the movement against anti-Asian hate.
Less than two months after his death, 62-year-old GuiYing Ma died — also due to brain injuries — after being bashed in the head with a rock by 33-year-old Elisaul Perez.
Between their deaths, 40-year-old Michelle Go and 35-year-old Christina Yuna Lee were also killed. Go was shoved in front of an oncoming Times Square station subway train by suspect Simon Martial, while Lee was stabbed in her Chinatown apartment by suspect Assamad Nash.
As per his plea, Powell targeted Ma because he was Asian.
“Mr. Ma’s death was the result of a despicable racially motivated attack,” Bragg said during Friday’s announcement. “His family endured an agonizing eight months in the hospital while the devoted husband and father of two remained in a vegetative state, before succumbing to his injuries on Dec. 31, 2021.”
Bragg, who himself has faced criticism over lenient criminal justice policies, vowed to keep the city safe for everyone.
New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and no one should have to fear that they may be in danger because of their background. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that New Yorkers of all origins feel safe.
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