Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder in Flatbush

A Queens man was sentenced to 21 years in prison for repeatedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend after breaking into her Flatbush home. The victim, a mother of two sons, suffered severe cuts to her forehead and forearm.
 
“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his actions, which terrorized a former girlfriend and her 15-year-old son and nearly took her life," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez on Aug. 1. "He also showed his blatant disregard for the rule of law by absconding during his trial. I am committed to seeking justice for all victims of domestic violence.”
 
The defendant was identified as Muneshwar Bira, 37, of St. Albans, Queens. Bira was convicted of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon on July 10, 2023, following a bench trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu. On Aug. 1, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision.

During his trial on April 5, 2023, the defendant failed to return to court following an afternoon break, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest on April 10, 2023. He was picked up the warrant in Florida and had to be extradited to New York.

According to the evidence, on June 4, 2021, at approximately 11:00am, on East 21^st Street in Flatbush, Brooklyn, the defendant broke into his 40-year-old ex-girlfriend’s basement apartment with a knife in hand. The defendant tried to stab the victim while she raised her forearm to protect herself, causing the knife to lacerate her forearm and her forehead. The victim then fell to the floor. After one knife broke, the defendant used two additional knives to stab the victim. She continued to fight for her life while calling out to her 15-year-old son for help.
 
The victim’s son called 911 and when the police arrived, according to the evidence, the defendant, the victim, and the apartment were covered in blood. The victim was taken to Kings County Hospital and treated for severe injuries, including a life-threatening injury to her right arm.