What you should know
- James Fitzgerald will spend nearly two decades in jail after beating his ex-girlfriend.
- In addition to the 19 years in prison, he will have to serve 5 years of post-release supervision.
- The victim survived, but still faces years of physical and mental recovery from injuries.
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NEW YORK — A Bronx man will spend nearly two decades behind bars after pleading guilty and being sentenced for the vicious beating of his ex-girlfriend with a nail-studded plank of wood that left her partially blind and disfigured, according to New York City District Attorneys. Queens.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday that James Fitzgerald, 55, was sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder in the May 16, 2020, beating.
According to prosecutors, who cited court records, just before 6 p.m. on that day in 2020, Fitzgerald attacked his 35-year-old ex-girlfriend on the sidewalk outside a fish market in Jamaica, Queens, where he knocked her to the ground. and kicked and hit her several times on the head.
Prosecutors say Fitzgerald ignored people on the street yelling at him to stop. Although he briefly walked away from the victim, he returned shortly afterward with a wooden board riddled with nails that he used to punch his former partner in the face.
According to Katz, police arrived at the scene just as Fitzgerald was walking away. He was eventually arrested after a foot chase.
Katz later said police recovered the bloody, nail-riddled plank from the scene of the attack, as well as the victim’s teeth that were strewn on the sidewalk.
The victim was immediately taken to a nearby hospital. As a result of the violent and horrific attack, the woman suffered permanent vision loss in her right eye, underwent numerous reconstructive surgeries on her face, and was left permanently disfigured due to a crushed orbital bone and several serious facial fractures.
Fitzgerald pleaded guilty June 2 to attempted second-degree murder. In addition to his prison sentence, he must also serve five years of post-release supervision, according to Katz’s office.
In addition, a total protection order was issued in favor of his victim.
“This defendant brutally assaulted his ex-girlfriend nearly to death,” Katz said. “It is a miracle that the victim survived, although he still faces years of physical and mental recovery due to the serious injuries sustained. Following the defendant’s guilty plea last month, he has now been sentenced to prison for his heinous actions. I can only hope that the victim finds some comfort in knowing that the accused has been held accountable.”
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