Brandon Elliot attacked Vilma Kari outside an apartment building in New York, police said. (Screenshot of Elliot: NYPD; screenshot of Kari: ABC News)
The man seen on video attacking an Asian woman in front of a Manhattan apartment building was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years in a New York prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, according to CBS News. The defendant, Brandon Elliot, already spent time in jail for stabbing his mother in 2002 and was released on lifetime parole in 2019.
The survivor of the 2021 attack in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, Vilma Kari, was reportedly heading to church that day when Elliot kicked her to the ground and repeatedly stomped on her.
The defendant, who is Black, allegedly made anti-Asian statements such as “You don’t belong here.” Police arrested him after people recognized him from a local homeless shelter.
This is video of yesterday’s assault on 43rd St that was captured from inside the building. Help @NYPDHateCrimes find this woman’s attacker!
If you witnessed this assault or have any information, please call @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS#YourCityYourCall pic.twitter.com/hjePnRJURu
— Edward A. Caban (@NYPDPC) March 30, 2021
Kari, who is originally from the Philippines, sustained a fractured pelvis and contusion to the head. Now physically healed from the ordeal, she voiced grace to the defendant but never hedged her words on the severity of his actions.
“While I did not physically die that day, a portion of me did,” she said. “A portion of me that made me think I could come to America 40 years ago and be accepted for who I am. I was wrong.”
Kari said that he took her peace.
“Mr. Elliot, I will pray for you, even though you may not change,” she said.
Eliot, who pleaded guilty to assault in the first degree as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, voiced an apology. Kari, who said she did not expect it, said she was touched.
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