BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS IMPRISONMENT IN FATAL STABBING AT ROLLER RINK

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 26 year old man was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for stabbing a man to death at the Skate Key Roller Rink at East 138th Street and Canal Street on March 8, 2004.

Terrell Gilford, of 274 West 140th Street, Manhattan, was convicted last month of Manslaughter in the 1st degree and other offenses in connection with an incident that led to the death of 22 year old Bronx resident James Jones. Gilford was found guilty following a non-jury trial before State Supreme Court Justice Ceasar Cirigliano. Gilford also was found guilty of Assault in the 1st degree in the stabbing of a second victim, Kyle Williams, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree. Justice Cirigliano sentenced Gilford to concurrent terms of 20 years imprisonment on the manslaughter conviction, 20 years imprisonment on the assault conviction and one year in jail for the illegal possession of a knife.

The stabbings occurred when Gilford became involved in a fight over a woman. Even though Gilford did not know the woman or anyone else involved in the dispute, he brandished a knife and stabbed Jones four times in the heart, right arm and hand.

Williams, who survived the attack, was stabbed four times in the back and stomach. Gilford fled following the stabbings at the roller rink at East 138th Street and Canal Street but was captured after a short chase. He was taken into custody while running on the walkway on the 138th Street bridge into Manhattan. The defendant was identified by an eyewitness who had joined in the chase following the stabbings at the roller rink.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Susanna Imbo and Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Allen Karen.