Bronx Stabbing Survivor Vomits After Attacker Gets Eight-and-a-Half Years

Kaitlynn Berman, 23, said in court that Joseph had failed to take her life and would not take away her future. He declined the judge’s invitation to speak. Berman’s advocate, Bishop Boyde Singletary, said she was overwhelmed by the sentence and vomited after hearing it.

Prosecutors said Joseph inflicted about 22 stab wounds across Berman’s face, neck, hands and stomach; her 3-year-old daughter was in another room. Berman had been caring for a friend’s cat when Joseph, her friend’s boyfriend, came to collect it. He stole her cellphone and $5,700 in cash before fleeing, police said.

Berman spent 48 days in hospital, underwent three surgeries and received multiple blood transfusions. She told the court she has permanent nerve damage in her hands. Singletary said she also has PTSD and ongoing pain and trauma.

In September, Joseph admitted to attempted murder in the second degree as part of an agreement that resulted in the sentence. Prosecutors had sought 10 years. The judge also ordered five years of post-release supervision and barred Joseph from contacting Berman. Her supporters intend to contest the sentence and ask the Bronx District Attorney’s Office to review it.