John Wright: NYC homeless man receives 19-year sentence for fatal stabbing in cigarette dispute

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: John Wright, a homeless man involved in a fatal stabbing sparked by a dispute over a cigarette in Midtown, was condemned as a "f**king animal" by the victim's parents during his sentencing in a Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday, March 14.

Wright, aged 37, was sentenced to 19 years in prison after admitting to manslaughter in the case of Carlos Rosario, aged 24.

Parents condemn killer's actions in an emotional courtroom scene 

The tragic incident occurred on December 6, 2022, near West 42nd Street and Ninth Avenue. Prior to Judge April Newbauer delivering the sentence, Wright was subjected to a harsh reprimand from Rosario's parents, who vocalized their anguish and anger towards him.

Melissa Davilla, Rosario's mother, emotionally questioned the suspect's actions, lamenting, "Why did you steal my son from me? Why couldn’t you just walk away? You f**king animal!"

Davilla, adorned in a black hoodie bearing her son's face, delivered a passionate statement, labeling Wright as a "f**king asshole" and asserting that her son is now in a better place compared to Wright's "living hell in shackles."

“You won’t be laughing, you won’t be laughing. Over a cigarette, John,” Davilla stated, referring to when the perpetrator was captured grinning after being arrested. “My son didn’t even smoke cigarettes! He wanted to be everyone’s friend,” per the New York Post.

Timeline of the fatal stabbing

The fatal stabbing stemmed from an altercation initiated when Rosario's coworker asked for a cigarette from Wright's girlfriend.

This verbal disagreement then escalated, resulting in the suspect and two others chasing Rosario and his coworker and physically assaulting them.

According to court documents, Wright retrieved a knife from a backpack and fatally stabbed Rosario in the chest. Despite his admission of guilt and subsequent sentencing, tensions lingered palpably in the courtroom.

Carlos Rosario, the victim's father, issued a direct warning to Wright, expressing his hope that he would not be released from prison, as he vowed to be waiting for him upon his potential release.

“When you come out, if I’m still breathing, I’ll still be here waiting for you,” the father alleged.

Wright had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree in February.