Terrorist who killed eight gets 10 life terms plus 260 years

NEW YORK — An Islamic extremist was given 10 life sentences and another 260 years in prison on Wednesday for killing eight people with a truck on a bike path in Manhattan and severely injuring 18 others.

“The conduct in this case is among the worst if not the worst I’ve ever seen,” said U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick. He cited the unrepentant nature of Sayfullo Saipov, who, given a chance to speak, said the tears of victims and relatives in the courtroom were small compared with the blood and tears that those in the Islamic faith have suffered.

Saipov’s sentence came after a jury in March rejected the death penalty for the citizen of Uzbekistan and one-time New Jersey resident, leaving him with a mandatory life prison sentence for his Oct. 31, 2017 attack on tourists and New Yorkers.

Relatives of eight people killed in the Halloween terror attack spoke sometimes through tears during the sentencing, describing their lingering pain and sometimes directly addressing the man convicted in the deaths.

Frank Decadt, father of victim Ann-Laure Decadt, told Saipov he hoped that “one day you will understand the extent of horror you have inflicted on so many people.” Marion Van Reeth, who lost her legs in the attack, sat before Saipov in her wheelchair, telling him: “I will never be able to walk like you can.”

As Saipov kept his head drooped and eyes lowered, listening to a translation of the proceedings through earphones, she said: “I have a question for you. After all this time in prison, are you still convinced that your criminal acts against innocent people was the right thing?”

Like others, she expressed hope that Saipov would see that his terrorist act was wrong.

Prosecutors urged Broderick to impose a sentence of eight consecutive life sentences — one for each death — and an additional 260 years in prison, according to a presentence submission. “Saipov is an unabashed terrorist — a proud murderer who deserves no leniency and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” prosecutors wrote.

The judge followed the prosecution’s recommendation, imposing eight consecutive life sentences and two to run concurrently, though the practical effect of a single life sentence is the same since there is no parole.

Saipov, 35, left a path of destruction. Five tourists from Argentina, two Americans and a Belgian woman were killed, and 18 others were seriously injured.

Saipov was shot by a police officer after emerging from his truck shouting “God is great” in Arabic and waving paintball and pellet guns in the air.