White Plains Man Who Stabbed Wife 35 Times While Chasing Her Down The Street Gets 12 Years: DA

WHITE PLAINS, NY — A horrific case of violence that marked a dark moment in Westchester County history has come to a close with the perpetrator in prison, and those who sprang into action to help honored.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that the White Plains man who repeatedly stabbed his wife with a kitchen knife and chased her down the street will spend 12 years in state prison.

During sentencing, the judge further ordered 35-year-old Carlos Obed-Tovar, to undergo five years of post-release supervision once his prison sentence is complete.

"The incalculable damage done by this defendant, and the depravity displayed as he hunted his partner down the street, are harrowing reminders of the consequences of domestic violence," Cacace said. "The victim's perseverance through this attack and her commitment to assisting with this prosecution show that courage can be found even in moments of profound darkness."

"I also wish to recognize the good Samaritans who stood by to assist the victim during the assault," the DA added. "Their heroic actions are a credit to the entire Westchester community."

SEE ALSO: Westchester Knife Attack: Woman Found With Wounds To Face, Neck, Body

On May 4, 2024, the victim was inside her basement apartment with her then-6-year-old daughter and her husband, Obed-Tovar. After finding out that the victim had a conversation with a male colleague at work, Obed-Tovar began stabbing the victim all over her body with a kitchen knife, including the inside of her fingers, which she had held up in self-defense.

The victim managed to get the knife away from Obed-Tovar, but he then grabbed another knife from the kitchen. After the victim fled from the apartment, Obed-Tovar followed her down the street, and then stabbed her repeatedly with the second knife with such force that the handle broke off and the blade became lodged in her head.

A good Samaritan, later identified as White Plains resident Armando Gramajo, saw the violence unfolding and demanded that Obed-Tovar stop the attack, which he did. Gramajo then asked for help from his daughter, Shayla, a nursing student at the time, who brought out clean sheets to apply pressure to the victim's wounds.

The DA says that the victim was left with around 35 cuts and stabs all over her body, in addition to permanent damage to her vocal cords.

"I still don't understand how I survived after 35 cuts and stabs you inflicted," the victim said in a victim impact statement read aloud at sentencing. "The only thing clear to me is that God is great. He knows my heart and knows I was not a bad person. The only thing I know is that I survived for a purpose, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped and supported me through this process."

Gramajo will be presented with a civilian hero award by the district attorney in October. Shayla is now a nurse specializing in plastic surgery.