In a harrowing event in New York that has left a community reeling, a 43-year-old man identified as J. Soriano has been sentenced to 40 years to life in jail for the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, S. Young. This devastating crime, committed in September 2021, occurred at a time when Young was supposed to be celebrating the birth of his third child with family and friends.
DA A. Bragg stated that Soriano, who had previously been in a relationship with Young, surprised her and her family as they returned from a joyous baby shower. The crime scene was the street where Young resided, which had gone from a place of prospective welcome to one of unexpected violence.
According to trial evidence, Young arrived at her apartment building with family and friends in the early hours of September 12, 2021, just weeks before giving birth. As they unpacked the gifts, Soriano emerged on a motorcycle, dressed in black and wearing rubber gloves. Armed and dangerous, he originally pursued a male friend of Young’s across the building. The incident quickly escalated when Young approached Soriano to challenge him. Despite her cries, Soriano fired three shots at her head from point-blank range, killing both her and her unborn child. Four children, including Young’s two daughters, ages 15 and 6, witnessed the awful event and watched helplessly as their mother was cruelly slaughtered in front of them.
Soriano escaped the scene but was captured several days later. His capture provided little comfort to those affected by the tragedy. Throughout his trial and subsequent sentencing, he maintained a contentious position, claiming violations of his “constitutional rights” and suggesting that he was framed for the murder he committed.
During the sentencing hearing, Soriano attempted to contest the additions to his sentence using legal precedents but was unsuccessful. Assistant District Attorney E. Ching emphasized Soriano’s lack of remorse, a sense shared by the victim’s family in their heartbreaking testimonials. Recognizing the gravity of the crime and its long-term consequences for the family and community, the judge gave a harsh sentence. Soriano will be eligible for parole only after serving 40 years, with further suspended terms on connected counts.
District Attorney Bragg stressed the case as a stark reminder of the devastation caused by domestic violence and the long-term anguish imposed on survivors and witnesses. While this sentencing provides legal closure, it also leaves a community and a family to deal with the pain of a once-joyous occasion turned terrible. As the legal proceedings end, people affected continue to rehabilitate emotionally and psychologically, serving as a devastating reminder of the fragility of life and the severe effects of violence.
