BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR BLOODY
RAMPAGE THAT LEFT HIS GIRLFRIEND SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND HER
COUSIN FATALLY STABBED

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 20-year-old man who seriously wounded his girlfriend and stabbed her cousin to death was sentenced to a maximum term of 40 years to life imprisonment.

A jury last month found Samuel Encarnacion, of 1435 Harrod Avenue, the Bronx, guilty of Murder in the 2nd degree in the death of Johnny Torres and Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree for multiple stab wounds inflicted on Ofelia Torres. Encarnacion was also found guilty of Assault in the 1st degree for the attack on Ofelia Torres.

State Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Foley sentenced to consecutive terms of 20 years to life imprisonment for the murder and 20 years for the attempted murder. He must serve a minimum of 40 years before becoming eligible for parole. The judge also sentenced Encarnacion to two additional terms of 20 years imprisonment for the assault convictions. Those sentences are to run concurrent to the 40 years to life in prison for the murder and attempted murder.

The crimes occurred at the couple’s Harrod Avenue apartment on January 20, 2005. The defendant and Ms. Torres were in their bedroom talking when Encarnacion began stabbing her after she said that she wanted to end their relationship. Johnny Torres, who had been sitting in the living room, ran to his cousin’s defense and was stabbed to death.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Suzanne McElwreath and Assistant District Attorney Irene Pangilinan.