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A man who brutally assaulted a woman with a hammer inside a Queens subway station in 2022 was sentenced on July 10 to 25 years to life in prison, following a conviction for robbery and assault.
William Blount, 61, was found guilty by a jury in April for launching an unprovoked and violent attack on 57-year-old Nina Rothschild at the Queens Plaza subway station in Long Island City. The attack drew national attention for its shocking nature and the severity of the victim’s injuries.
Authorities said Blount approached Rothschild from behind around 11:20 p.m. on February 24, 2022. As she descended the station stairs, he kicked her from behind, causing her to fall, then struck her in the head 13 times with a hammer before stealing her multicolored tote bag and fleeing the scene.
Rothschild, a scientist with the city’s Health Department, was left with multiple skull fractures, a broken finger, and other injuries. She underwent emergency surgery to replace parts of her shattered skull with titanium mesh.
Blount, whose last known address was in Manhattan, was arrested three days later. Surveillance footage and forensic evidence linked him to the scene. Police recovered the hammer, cane, and stolen bag from a relative’s home in Long Island City, where DNA testing confirmed Blount’s involvement.
The jury convicted him on two counts each of first-degree assault and first-degree robbery, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was acquitted of attempted murder.
“This was an unprovoked attack that caught the attention of the entire country,” District Attorney Katz said. “A 57-year-old woman was blindsided as she entered the New York City subway system and kicked down the stairs by William Blount. The defendant then repeatedly struck her in the head with a hammer and stole the woman’s tote bag. I thank the survivor for testifying during this trial and bravely facing her attacker in court. Our transit system must be safe for everyone and this conviction sends a strong message that those who cause mayhem on our subways will be brought to justice.”
A jury convicted Blount in April on multiple counts of first-degree assault and robbery, along with criminal possession of a weapon. He was acquitted of attempted murder. Queens Supreme Court Justice John Zoll handed down the maximum sentence.
