Nassau Man Gets 19 Years For Killing Sister's Boyfriend

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A Hempstead man was sentenced today to 19 years in prison for the 2018 stabbing death of his sister's boyfriend.

Roy Christmas, 40, of Hempstead, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on Sept. 15 for the 2018 death.

“William Pinckney was a loving father who was senselessly stabbed to death when he came to the aid of his girlfriend after she was punched by her brother,” said Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith said. “This was a truly senseless killing and we hope that today’s sentence helps the Pinckney family as they continue to mourn William’s loss.”

According to Smith, around 4:15 a.m. on May 1, 2018, Christmas stabbed Pinckney multiple times at a Warner Avenue home in Hempstead. The 57-year-old Pinckney was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:57 a.m.

Pinckney and Christmas were at a party at the home at the time of the attack. As Christmas was leaving he couldn't find his cell phone, and an argument started. Christmas punched his sister in the face, and Pinckney intervened and started to fight him.

Pinckney threw a chair at Christmas, who then stabbed him several times and then fled. Christmas was arrested by Nassau police on May 14, 2018.