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Background: News footage of the memorial in New York, N.Y., after the 2021 murder of Shanice Young (WABC). Inset: Justin Soriano (New York Police Department).
A New York man convicted of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend in front of her children argued during his sentencing that his “constitutional rights” were infringed.
According to a press release from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Justin Soriano, aged 43, was convicted in November 2024 for the murder of 31-year-old Shanice Young. Young, who was more than eight months pregnant, was on her way home from her baby shower after midnight on Sept. 12, 2021, when Soriano arrived on a motorcycle armed with a loaded gun, his face masked and hands in latex gloves. Soriano chased Young’s current boyfriend around the apartment building in the presence of four children, including Young’s 6- and 15-year-old daughters. Outside the building, he was confronted by Young and shot her three times in the face at close range, striking her twice.
Young was taken to the hospital where she and her unborn baby were pronounced dead. Soriano fled the scene and was found hiding in the Bronx days later, at which point he was arrested.
Also at the scene were Young’s cousin and her boyfriend’s two children, ages 1 and 7 years old.
Local news outlet AMNY reported from the courtroom for Soriano’s sentencing hearing on April 3. Before his sentence was handed down, he was asked if he wanted to speak on his own behalf. He took the opportunity to say that he wanted “parties to reflect that sentence enhancements declare a violation of my constitutional rights” and cited a number of court cases.
Assistant District Attorney Emily Ching stated in court that Soriano “sits here without an ounce of remorse.” AMNY reported that according to a probation report, Soriano reportedly said, “This is an unfortunate case, and hopefully, they can find out who really did [it],” claiming that one of Young’s daughters had been coerced by the District Attorney.
Judge Ann Scherzer sentenced Soriano to 40 years to life in state prison.
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