LASHAWN MARTEN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STRIKING THREE, ONE FATALLY, IN UNION SQUARE HATE-CRIME ASSAULTS
As proven at trial, at approximately 2:50 p.m. on September 4, 2013, MARTEN, who is black and was a frequent chess player in Union Square, repeatedly stated in substance that he would “knock out” the next white person who passed him. Shortly thereafter, as 62-year-old Jeffrey Babbitt (a white male) walked by, MARTEN suddenly struck him in the face with his fist, causing Mr. Babbitt to fall to the ground and strike his head on the pavement. Moments later, when a 19-year-old bystander (who was also white) came to Mr. Babbitt’s aid, the defendant punched him in the face. A third bystander – a 47-year-old white male – also approached Mr. Babbitt to render assistance; MARTEN, who remained at the scene, struck him in the head as well, knocking him unconscious as he fell onto the ground. Police responded to several 911 calls and apprehended the defendant at the scene.
Meanwhile, Mr. Babbitt was rushed to Bellevue Hospital. He was declared clinically brain-dead and died days later. The 19-year-old victim sustained minor injuries, and the 47-year-old victim suffered a broken rib and memory loss, among other related injuries.
Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Bogdanos, Senior Trial Counsel, and Gretchen Jenkins, both of Trial Bureau 50, handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Warren Murray, Chief of Trial Bureau 50, and Executive Assistant District Attorney John Irwin, Chief of the Trial Division. Trial Preparation Assistants David Chardack and Jessica Avitabile also assisted with the prosecution of this case.
District Attorney Vance also thanked the following members of the NYPD for their assistance with the case: Detective Angelo Garcia of the 13th Precinct Detective Squad; Officers Michael Shaw and Philip McGovern of the 13th Precinct; Sergeant David Sansone of the 30th Precinct; and Officer David Perez of the Patrol Borough Manhattan South Street Crime Unit.