NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Brandon Elliot, who pleaded guilty to charges related to a vicious hate crime on a 65-year-old Asian American woman that occurred in 2021, was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years in state prison, prosecutors announced.
Elliot, 43, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault as a hate crime and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon on Dec. 14.
As admitted in his guilty plea, on March 29, 2021, Elliot approached Vilma Kari, now 68, on the sidewalk of West 43rd Street between 8th and 9th avenues in Hell’s Kitchen.
Kari is of Filipino descent, and the district attorney’s office said that, in substance, Elliot said to her, “F--- you, you don’t belong here.”
The defendant then kicked Kari in the torso, knocked her to the ground and repeatedly stomped her head and body, prosecutors said. The assault was caught on surveillance video.
A bystander attempted to intervene, at which point Elliot threatened him with a knife before fleeing the scene.
Kari was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis, forehead contusions and contusions across her body after being transported to an area hospital, authorities said.
Officials said that Elliot was arrested two days later after police received a Crime Stoppers tip.
“Brandon Elliot assaulted a 65-year-old woman because of her Filipino descent,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “This attack has left lasting fear and anxiety for the victim and many in the AAPI community.”
According to ABC7, Kari spent 16 minutes in court on Wednesday delivering her victim impact statement.
“There will always be that caution, every time. I really don’t know when I will be able to feel free again,” Kari said outside of the courtroom.
Kari arrived in the US 40 years ago, got married, became a citizen and had a daughter who, in the wake of her mother’s attack, started a nonprofit that aims to spread awareness about anti-Asian crime, CBS reported. The organization is called AAP(I BELONG).
"While I did not physically die that day, a portion of me did. A portion of me that made me think I could come to America 40 years ago and be accepted for who I am. I was wrong," Kari said.
According to ABC7, Elliot apologized to Kari in the courtroom. Kari reportedly accepted the apology as a woman of faith, but said that she will never be the same.
“I hope the closure of this case will allow the victim to continue healing and moving forward, while also sending a strong message that we will seek full accountability for anyone who commits violence against their fellow New Yorkers because of their race or ethnicity,” Bragg said.
Beyond his 15-year prison sentence, Elliot is subject to five years post-release supervision.