Cundiff Convicted at Trial of Stabbing Subway Rider, Good Samaritan, and Police Officer

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of RONALD CUNDIFF, 43, to 14 years in state prison for stabbing three people, including a police officer, in 2019. On February 22, 2022, CUNDIFF was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of one count of Assault in the 1^st Degree and two counts of Assault in the 2^nd Degree, among other charges.

“The subway is the backbone of our city, and we will hold accountable anyone who attacks their fellow straphangers,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Not only did Ronald Cundiff stab a rider who was looking for a seat, he also stabbed a good Samaritan and a police officer who tried to stop him. I thank the jury for its service, and the prosecutors who secured this conviction and sentence through their hard work and dedication.”

On July 30, 2019, at approximately 7:15 p.m., a 55-year-old man asked CUNDIFF to remove his bag from a seat on a downtown A train so he could sit down. When CUNDIFF did not answer, the man picked up his bag and tried to sit down. CUNDIFF drew a knife and stabbed the man in his upper torso and lacerated his spleen, which was later surgically removed. CUNDIFF exited the subway at the Canal Street station and walked east toward Bowery while the victim flagged down police officers.

When responding NYPD officers attempted to stop CUNDIFF at the corner of Bowery and Canal Street, CUNDIFF stabbed one of the police officers in the shoulder. CUNDIFF also stabbed a good Samaritan who tried to stop him in the shoulder. CUNDIFF was arrested at Bowery and Canal Street, and the knife was recovered from the ground a few feet away from him.

Assistant D.A.s Andrew Roddin and Kristen Tierney handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Jessica Lynn (Chief of Trial Bureau 50), Kavita Bovell (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 50), Samuel David (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 50), Mireille Dee (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 50), Shawn McMahon (Chief of the Crime Strategies Unit and former Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 50), and Executive Assistant D.A. Joyce Smith (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Carlie Abraham and former Trial Preparation Assistant Allison Abdallah also assisted with the case.

Defendant Information:

RONALD CUNDIFF
Bronx, NY

Convicted:

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

Sentenced:

• 14 years in state prison
• 5 years of post-release supervision

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