Dad Gets 25 Years For Running Over Wife and Stabbing Her in Front of Kids
Oct 12, 2023, 11:00 AM
In a harrowing case that has shaken the city to its core, a New York man, Stephen Giraldo, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the heinous attempted murder of his estranged wife, Sophia Giraldo. This conviction comes a month after he entered a guilty plea in September. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office provided the details in a press statement released this past Friday.
The Heart-Wrenching Incident
The chilling incident occurred during the early morning hours of December 27, 2022. Security camera footage captured Stephen Giraldo outside the residence of Sophia. The events that unfolded were nothing short of nightmarish.
As the 41-year-old Sophia made her way in front of the vehicle, Stephen allegedly turned to their three children inside the car—aged 11, 9, and 6 at the time—and chillingly advised them to "keep your seat belt on," as previously reported by PEOPLE. He then deliberately ran over his wife.
The horror did not end there. As the statement from the DA's office narrated, "After colliding with the victim, the car turned onto its side. The defendant allegedly crawled out the passenger side window of the vehicle and continued his attack, stabbing his wife with a knife."
Sophia, though having miraculously survived the brutal onslaught, was left with catastrophic injuries. She has remained unconscious for the ten months since the attack, suffering from severe neurological damage, a punctured liver, and multiple broken bones. Their children, the traumatized witnesses to this brutality, were fortunately physically unharmed.
The Prosecution's Stand
Reflecting on the grievousness of the case, DA Katz asserted, “This is one of the most brutal cases we have prosecuted.” She further commented on the unimaginable nature of the crime, stating, “To tell your children to ‘buckle up,’ purposefully hit their mother, and then climb over your son to continue your attack with a knife is unconscionable.” With the sentencing of Stephen Giraldo, Katz expressed hope that it brings “some measure of justice.”
Community Support and A Ray of Hope
In the wake of such a horrifying event, the community has rallied together in support of Sophia and her family. A GoFundMe campaign initiated shortly after the attack, by Sophia's father Chuck Brooks, has amassed over $50,000 in donations. In a heartfelt note on the fundraiser page, Chuck termed the incident and the ensuing journey as a "whirlwind of a tragedy." He went on to thank the generous donors and supporters who have been pillars of strength during such tumultuous times.
The funds raised have been instrumental in aiding Sophia's family, who have traveled from Maryland to New York. The money has substantially assisted in offsetting the significant costs associated with their frequent and taxing visits, as elucidated in detail on the GoFundMe page.
Coincidentally, the sentencing took place a day before what should have been a day of celebration—Sophia's birthday on Saturday, as shared in a poignant social media post by her mother, Deborah Brooks.
Conclusion
Stephen Giraldo's sentencing is a sobering reminder of the dark corners of human behavior. While the judicial verdict has been rendered, the healing journey for Sophia and her children remains long and fraught with challenges. It's a hope that, with the continued support of the community and the strength of the human spirit, the family finds the resilience to rebuild their lives.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The Heart-Wrenching Incident
The chilling incident occurred during the early morning hours of December 27, 2022. Security camera footage captured Stephen Giraldo outside the residence of Sophia. The events that unfolded were nothing short of nightmarish.
As the 41-year-old Sophia made her way in front of the vehicle, Stephen allegedly turned to their three children inside the car—aged 11, 9, and 6 at the time—and chillingly advised them to "keep your seat belt on," as previously reported by PEOPLE. He then deliberately ran over his wife.
The horror did not end there. As the statement from the DA's office narrated, "After colliding with the victim, the car turned onto its side. The defendant allegedly crawled out the passenger side window of the vehicle and continued his attack, stabbing his wife with a knife."
Sophia, though having miraculously survived the brutal onslaught, was left with catastrophic injuries. She has remained unconscious for the ten months since the attack, suffering from severe neurological damage, a punctured liver, and multiple broken bones. Their children, the traumatized witnesses to this brutality, were fortunately physically unharmed.
The Prosecution's Stand
Reflecting on the grievousness of the case, DA Katz asserted, “This is one of the most brutal cases we have prosecuted.” She further commented on the unimaginable nature of the crime, stating, “To tell your children to ‘buckle up,’ purposefully hit their mother, and then climb over your son to continue your attack with a knife is unconscionable.” With the sentencing of Stephen Giraldo, Katz expressed hope that it brings “some measure of justice.”
Community Support and A Ray of Hope
In the wake of such a horrifying event, the community has rallied together in support of Sophia and her family. A GoFundMe campaign initiated shortly after the attack, by Sophia's father Chuck Brooks, has amassed over $50,000 in donations. In a heartfelt note on the fundraiser page, Chuck termed the incident and the ensuing journey as a "whirlwind of a tragedy." He went on to thank the generous donors and supporters who have been pillars of strength during such tumultuous times.
The funds raised have been instrumental in aiding Sophia's family, who have traveled from Maryland to New York. The money has substantially assisted in offsetting the significant costs associated with their frequent and taxing visits, as elucidated in detail on the GoFundMe page.
Coincidentally, the sentencing took place a day before what should have been a day of celebration—Sophia's birthday on Saturday, as shared in a poignant social media post by her mother, Deborah Brooks.
Conclusion
Stephen Giraldo's sentencing is a sobering reminder of the dark corners of human behavior. While the judicial verdict has been rendered, the healing journey for Sophia and her children remains long and fraught with challenges. It's a hope that, with the continued support of the community and the strength of the human spirit, the family finds the resilience to rebuild their lives.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com