Paralyzed Woman Confronts Subway Attacker in Court

In a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday, Emine Yilmaz Ozsoy delivered an emotional statement as Kamal Semrade was sentenced to 20 years in state prison. Semrade was convicted of attempted murder and first-degree assault for an unprovoked subway attack that occurred on May 21, 2023. Ozsoy recounted the profound pain and trauma she has endured since the incident, stating she has not experienced a moment of peace. The attack resulted in a severe spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the shoulders down and requiring multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.

Semrade followed Ozsoy after they rode the same train from Queens and shoved her into a departing subway car at the Lexington Avenue-63rd Street station. Her head struck the train, and she was thrown back onto the platform, fracturing her spine. Prosecutors highlighted the randomness of the attack and the lack of remorse shown by Semrade, who had no prior criminal record. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg noted that the attack "uprooted her life," causing catastrophic and permanent injuries. While Ozsoy has regained some independence through therapy, her recovery remains ongoing.