Man Who Stabbed Christina Yuna Lee to Death Sentenced to 30 Years to Life
Shawn Inglima/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Assamad Nash, the man who brutally stabbed Christina Yuna Lee to death in her New York City apartment in February 2022, was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Tuesday, July 30, according to a news release from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr.
Nash, 27, pleaded guilty in June to charges of murder and burglary. He admitted to stalking the 35-year-old woman before following her into her Chinatown apartment, where he stabbed her at least 40 times. The judge, noting Nash’s serious mental health issues, stated he is a danger to society, per ABC 7.
“Christina Yuna Lee was killed in an unthinkably horrific manner in her own apartment at the hands of Assamad Nash,” Bragg wrote in the press release. “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 touched by Ms. Yuna Lee’s life and this tragedy. May her legacy be celebrated for years to come.”
Lee was killed early in the morning of February 13, 2022, after Nash followed her up to her sixth-floor walk-up apartment. As she entered around 4:20 a.m., Nash ran and pushed her inside before attempting to sexually assault her. Christina’s cries for help prompted neighbors to call 911 at 4:22 a.m. Authorities arrived minutes later but could not break down the door until 5:40 a.m. Inside, they found Lee stabbed to death and Nash hiding under a mattress. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the sentencing, Lee’s father, Sungkon Lee, tearfully asked in his impact statement, “Why did God do such terrible things to our family,” per ABC 7. Her mother was not present at the sentencing, as she is still struggling with the loss of her daughter, said Christina’s aunt, Boksun Lee.
After the sentencing, Sungkon urged lawmakers to name a new homeless shelter in her honor, according to the New York Post. “We want Christina’s memory to be remembered and to prevent others from having a similar fate,” Sungkon said.
“By having her name on the shelter, it will reinforce to people what happened and that it was perpetrated by someone who was homeless,” the family’s attorney, Charles Yoon, told the Post. “We want to honor her and memorialize her so that it doesn’t happen again.”
Sungkon also criticized the NYPD, accusing them of failing to save his daughter. “The police did not gain entrance into the scene of the crime until 1 hour and 20 minutes had passed since arriving at the scene,” he said.
“The decisive cause of Christina’s death occurred at the scene of the incident. We believe there was an inadequate response by the police who arrived. The first mission of NYC and its police is to protect the safety of its citizens,” Sungkon stated.
The Lee family has filed a still-pending lawsuit against the department. Although pursuing legal action, Sungkon emphasized that the family “really wants is not compensation; instead, we want Christina’s memory to be remembered and to prevent others from having a similar fate.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
