Jury convicts man in killings of 4 people sleeping on NYC streets, rejecting insanity defense - AP News

AP News
February 19, 2026
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A New York City jury has convicted a man of killing four individuals who were sleeping on city streets, marking a significant milestone in a case that shocked the community. The defendant was found guilty of murder, manslaughter, and other charges related to the slayings, which occurred over several months. Notably, the jury rejected the insanity defense presented by the defense team, concluding that the man was sane at the time of the crimes. This verdict underscores the gravity of the offenses and highlights the importance of addressing both criminal justice and mental health challenges in society. The victims were homeless individuals who were sleeping on streets in Brooklyn and Manhattan when they were attacked. The defendant targeted them between October 2019 and August 2020, authorities said. During the trial, prosecutors argued that the killings were premeditated and carried out with malice, while the defense maintained that mental illness played a significant role in the man’s actions. Despite
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Originally published on AP News on 2/19/2026