NEW YORK, NY — A Manhattan man has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of shoving his girlfriend onto the subway tracks, leading to injuries so severe that both of her legs had to be amputated. The sentencing concludes a case that has shocked New Yorkers and renewed concerns about relationship violence in public spaces.
According to reporting by People, 41-year-old Theodore Ellis was sentenced to 18 years behind bars after being found guilty of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault. The incident occurred in November 2020 at the 14th Street Union Square subway station.
“She Never Saw It Coming”
Prosecutors said Ellis had been arguing with the victim, 26-year-old Saidy Verdejo, before suddenly shoving her from the platform and onto the tracks as a train approached. She was hit and dragged, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
“She never saw it coming,” said Assistant District Attorney Caroline Friedman during sentencing. “He gave her no chance to escape.”
Verdejo underwent multiple surgeries and ultimately lost both legs. In a victim impact statement, she said the trauma “still haunts me every single night.
Defendant Maintains Innocence
Ellis had pleaded not guilty and maintained throughout the trial that the push was accidental. However, surveillance footage and multiple eyewitnesses contradicted his claim.
“The jury saw through his lies,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. “This was a horrific, senseless act of violence, and today’s sentence delivers justice.”
Rising Subway Violence and Domestic Abuse Concerns
The case comes amid growing scrutiny over both subway safety and domestic violence in New York. According to NYPD data cited by People, there has been an uptick in assaults within the subway system, many involving individuals with prior histories of domestic conflict.
Transit officials say they are continuing efforts to increase platform surveillance and awareness campaigns.
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