Assailant in Stabbing of Off-Duty Cleaner Sentenced to 10 Years in Jail; 5 Years Probation

John Chiarello talks to the press saying he would have wanted a harsher sentence for Banks
John Chiarello talks to the press saying he would have wanted a harsher sentence for Banks

DECEMBER 8—A Bronx judge today sentenced Jamar Banks, 53, to 10 years in prison and five years probation for the January 2 stabbing of an off-duty NYCT Cleaner. The cleaner, 48, was on the northbound No. 6 train platform at the Pelham Bay station when Banks started an argument with him and then attacked him with a knife, stabbing him multiple times.

Banks pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the cleaner in September, said Bronx Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Doty in court.

The sentence is to run concurrently with an identical one Banks received earlier this fall for another stabbing he pleaded guilty to, which took place the day before on the 2 train at 14th Street. 

Outside the courtroom, Local 100 President John Chiarello said that the sentence may sound severe, but "what happened to our member is that he was nearly killed. This was an assassination attempt." Chiarello noted that Banks had multiple previous arrests, "and there's no reason why he should be on the street."

Chiarello thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark for the sentence, but said he'd like to see them increase.

"I'd like to see 20 years to life," said Chiarello, who was joined by officers from the Stations Department, rank and file, and union staff.

"Our workers get assaulted nearly every day. Whether it's spit on, punched, kicked," said Chiarello. "It's violent out there, and again, transit workers come to work to move New York City. Why are they being assaulted? Because they've taken the humanity out of the whole situation—they don't think of us as humans. And I'm going to make sure that they do that."

When Banks received his earlier sentence for the New Year's Day stabbing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said “This vicious attack left the victim with significant injuries. New Yorkers deserve to feel safe riding our subways, and we will continue to hold accountable those who cause harm and put their safety at risk.”