Accused murderer admits guilt to charges of killing woman in her Manhattan residence and burglary.
Assamad Nash, aged 27, admitted his guilt for one count of second-degree murder and burglary with a sexual motive, in relation to the murder of Christina Yuna Lee. This tragic incident occurred in her Chinatown apartment on February 13, 2022, where she was found brutally stabbed at least 40 times.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated, "Today, Assamad Nash faced justice for senselessly taking Christina Yuna Lee's life, after he pursued her into her own home. Christina's family and friends have been left without a daughter, sister, and companion. My sympathies are with them as they navigate this heartbreaking aftermath."
Nash is set to receive a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison during his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for July 30. CNN reached out to Nash's attorney for a comment.
Back in May, Lee's family took legal action against members of the New York City Police Department and New York City, claiming that delays in police assistance and medical care led to her unfortunate demise.
The NYPD didn't respond to CNN's request for comment regarding the litigation, while New York City's law department previously mentioned reviewing the complaint.
Lawsuit Claims Wrongful Death, Negligence
The lawsuit, filed in New York County Supreme Court on May 12, points at unnamed NYPD members for "illegally neglecting to prevent the assault and battery on Ms. Lee or for denying and/or delaying her medical care, causing her agony, suffering, and ultimately death."
Lee's aunt, serving as her estate's administrator, and the city were named as defendants in the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, a man followed Lee into her apartment at around 4:21 a.m. on February 13, 2022. A neighbor reportedly phoned the police shortly after hearing her cries, the complaint claims.
Two NYPD officers allegedly arrived at Lee's apartment door around 4:25 a.m. and heard her begging for help. Her screams abruptly ceased, and the officers reportedly spoke with the man through a closed door. Despite having probable cause to believe Lee's life was in immediate danger, it's claimed that these officers failed to enter her apartment or offer her any potentially life-saving assistance.
Other NYPD personnel didn't arrive at the scene until about an hour later, despite the police station being roughly three blocks away, as per the lawsuit.
"At approximately 5:40 A.M., one hour and twenty minutes after Ms. Lee was initially attacked, members of the NYPD Emergency Services Unit forced entry into her apartment," the complaint reports.
The complaint lists nine grievances, including wrongful death, negligence, denial or delay of medical care, and violations of the state constitution. The family is seeking a jury trial, punitive damages against the defendants, and unspecified compensatory damages.
The lawsuit also accuses the city of ignoring public safety concerns in a park situated across the street from Lee's apartment, citing a separate stabbing death that transpired near the park a few months prior to Lee's passing.
CNN's Nicki Brown contributed to this report.
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During the course of the lawsuit, the city and its law enforcement were accused of negligence by Lee's family, specifically alleging that they failed to provide timely assistance, which potentially exacerbated her injuries and led to her unfortunate demise. The family, as US citizens, is seeking justice and compensation through this legal action.
