A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to murder his ex-wife's co-worker, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced this week.
43-year-old Jianqing Chen, a resident of Dyker Heights, received his 15-year jail sentence from Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully. Following his prison term, Chen has also been ordered to five years of post-release supervision.
The sentencing comes after Chen was found guilty of several crimes, including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree aggravated harassment. He was convicted on July 7, 2023.
The district attorney says the lead-up to the incident took place between Feb. 1, 2022, and March 3, 2022.
During that time, Chen reportedly sent around 159 harassing phone calls and 500 text messages to his estranged wife, insulting her and threatening violence against her and her acquaintances. He would also show up at her Dyker Heights residence unannounced and knock on her window, according to the investigation.
On the day of the incident, which took place on March 3, 2022, Chen reportedly left his home on 68th Street and walked over to his ex-wife’s colleague’s home that was located on 67th Street.
According to the investigation, the victim arrived at his home at around 6:15pm and walked into his shared driveway, where he would be ambushed by Chen.
Chen snuck up behind his wife’s colleague and stabbed him multiple times in several areas, including in the neck, the head, face, back, and arm, causing massive amounts of bleeding from the victim, according to evidence.
After Chen fled the scene, the victim’s daughter arrived home a few minutes later and discovered her severely injured father, prompting her to call 911. The victim would be taken to hospital and receive treatment for his injuries.
Meanwhile, Chen — who cut his hand during the attack — went to NYU Langone Hospital to treat his injury. While there, Chen reportedly told authorities that he was robbed by two black men armed with a knife, according to evidence.
Following an investigation — in which Chen’s DNA was recovered from the weapon found at the crime scene, as well as surveillance footage capturing him during the attack — Chen would later be arrested by authorities.
“This was a life-altering attack on a completely innocent man who was lucky to be found by his daughter,” said Gonzalez. “I am committed to keeping the people of Brooklyn safe from violence. With today’s sentence the defendant has been found accountable for his actions.”
