What you should know
- The 20-year-old from Maine accused of trying to murder New York City Police officers in a machete attack on New Year’s Eve 2022 near Times Square changed his plea to guilty on several charges related to the terrorism on Thursday.
- Trevor Bickford was indicted a year ago on terrorism charges including attempted murder, assault and aggravated assault on a police officer, according to the Manhattan district attorney.
- He pleaded guilty to five counts related to those charges, stemming from the Dec. 31, 2023, attack on three police officers he approached on Eighth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets.
NEW YORK — The 20-year-old from Maine accused of trying to murder New York City Police officers in a machete attack on New Year’s Eve 2022 near Times Square changed his plea to guilty by several terrorism-related charges on Thursday.
Trevor Bickford was indicted a year ago on terrorism charges including attempted murder, assault and aggravated assault on a police officer, according to the Manhattan district attorney. He pleaded guilty to five counts related to those charges, stemming from the Dec. 31, 2023, attack on three police officers he approached on Eighth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets.
Bickford told the judge he was undergoing psychiatric treatment for a “schizoaffective disorder.”
Then, in a separate statement to the court, he said: “On December 31, 2022, I attempted to kill 3 uniformed NYPD officers in a knife attack while they were working. I know what I did was wrong. I’m sorry.”
All three officers were treated for their injuries and released from the hospital a day after the incident.
Bickford’s family was in the courtroom Thursday for the change of plea, including her mother, stepfather and two aunts, who had tears in their eyes. Bickford faces up to 120 years in prison when he is sentenced.
Had the case gone to trial, among the government’s evidence would be the 12-inch machete used in the attack, a diary found at the scene with Trevor’s “last will and testament,” and body camera video of the men. officers showing the attack.
It would also include statements made by Bickford when he was arrested, including: “I walked around Times Square trying to find the right moment to kill” and “I intended to die in the attack and achieve martyrdom.”
Bickford will be sentenced on April 11.
Senior law enforcement officials described him as a “local violent extremist” who attempted to carry out the assault with a large knife on a night when the city center streets were crowded. Bickford was shot in the shoulder in the chaos that followed. He allegedly made statements to detectives implicating himself once in custody.
2024-01-11 19:58:05
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