WEST BABYLON, NY – According to the Suffolk County District Attorney, a 46-year-old from West Babylon was found guilty of Attempted Murder for brutally stabbing his wife in front of their two young daughters. The incident occurred after the wife expressed her desire for a divorce, a particularly dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence.
During the trial, evidence revealed that on June 14, 2023, the victim was sleeping with their five and 11-year-old daughters when the defendant, Christopher Jeffrey, forcefully entered the children’s bedroom, brandishing a knife. Ignoring the victim’s refusal to engage, he proceeded to stab her three times, exclaiming his intention to not only kill her but also himself, as he believed she was destroying their family. The couple’s oldest daughter pleaded with Christopher to stop, after which he instructed the children to go to another room and confiscated the victim’s phone to prevent her from seeking help.
Despite suffering from severe blood loss and losing consciousness intermittently, the victim managed to escape the house and seek assistance from a neighbor. Jeffrey pursued her, viciously kicking her in the face. The neighbor promptly contacted emergency services, and the defendant fled the scene. The Suffolk County Police Department’s K9 Unit eventually located and apprehended him near a commercial building close to the residence. The victim was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, where she underwent surgery and received blood transfusions to address the injuries sustained on her arm, hip, and buttocks.
Following a jury trial presided over by Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, Jeffrey was convicted on February 5, 2024. The charges against him include Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. Sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2024, and Jeffrey may face up to 25 years in prison. Scott Zerner, Esq., is representing him in court.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney emphasized the importance of providing support and assistance to victims of intimate partner violence. He highlighted the presence of crime victim advocates in his office who offer unwavering support throughout the criminal prosecution process. For individuals who have experienced domestic violence or know someone who has, it is crucial to reach out for help. The Suffolk County Police Department should be contacted in such cases, and the 24-hour hotlines for Long Island Against Domestic Violence (631-666-8833) and ECLI VIBES Crisis Hopeline (631-360-3606) are available as well.
Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Kelly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Veronica McMahon of the Major Crime Bureau are prosecuting the case, with investigative support from Detective Cory Malinowski of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad.
