Overview

• Judge John Zoll imposed the maximum sentence of 25 years to life on William Blount for the unprovoked February 2022 attack on Nina Rothschild at Queens Plaza station.
• Blount was convicted in February on two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree robbery and a weapons possession charge.
• During Thursday’s hearing, Rothschild directly confronted her attacker, asking why he ambushed her and struck her head 13 times with a hammer.
• Rothschild survived multiple skull fractures and underwent emergency surgery with titanium mesh repairs before returning to daily subway travel.
• Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz praised the verdict as a clear message that violent subway offenses will result in severe legal consequences.