Key takeaways:
- Sayfullo Saipov, an Islamic extremist who drove a truck along a bike path in 2017, killing 8 people and maiming others, will not face the death penalty.
- The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, so Saipov will receive an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- The attack was the deadliest terror attack in New York City since the September 11th attacks in 2001.
A jury in New York City has decided that Sayfullo Saipov, an Islamic extremist who deliberately drove a truck along a popular bike path in 2017, killing eight people and maiming others, will not face the death penalty.
The sentencing was the culmination of a trial that featured emotional testimony from survivors of the attack and relatives of the five tourists from Argentina, two Americans, and one Belgian who were killed.
The jury, which was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, informed the judge on Monday that they were unable to reach the unanimous verdict required for a death sentence. As a result, Saipov, a 35-year-old Uzbekistan citizen who lived in New Jersey, will receive an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The attack, which took place in October 2017, was the deadliest terror attack in New York City since the September 11th attacks in 2001. Saipov was charged with 22 counts of terrorism and violence-related charges, including providing material support to the Islamic State group.
The jury deliberated for four days before reaching their decision. Saipov’s lawyers argued that he was mentally ill and had been radicalized by ISIS propaganda. However, prosecutors argued that Saipov was a cold-blooded killer who had planned the attack for months.
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