A homeless New York man accused of murder will be held without bail after leaving the victim with multiple stab wounds, a judge ruled Monday morning.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 35-year-old Christina Yuna Lee arrived home to her apartment on Christie Street in Manhattan early Sunday morning after a Saturday night out. The suspect allegedly slipped into the building behind her and followed her as she walked up six flights of stairs.
Neighbors heard Lee screaming at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday and called 911.
When police arrived, the suspect had already barricaded the officers’ access to Lee’s apartment, according to ABC 7. The NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit ultimately gained access to the unit by knocking down a steel door.
Lee reportedly had multiple stab wounds, and the suspect, Assamad Nash, was covered in blood. Nash, 25, was taken into custody at the scene, after trying to flee via the building’s fire escape.
On Tuesday, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Jay Weiner granted the prosecution’s request to hold the suspect behind bars without bond. He’s been charged with murder and sexually-motivated burglary, according to the New York Post.
Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran added that Nash attempted to stop officers from going into the victim’s apartment by imitating a female voice.
“We don’t need the police here — go away,” Nash reportedly said while barricading himself inside the victim’s apartment for over an hour.
When officers gained entry to the apartment, they found the deceased victim naked from the waist down with 40 stab wounds across her body. Police found Nash hiding under a bed.
At the time of the killing, Nash was living at the Bowery Mission homeless shelter.
The suspect is due back in court Thursday. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Christina Lee/LinkedIn; Assamad Nash/Police Handout]
*Additional reporting by Ellen Killoran*
