10-year sentence given for fatal attack on new york city taxi driver over fare dispute

10-Year Sentence Given for Fatal Attack on New York City Taxi Driver Over Fare Dispute

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1 min read
June 28, 2024

QUEENS, NY – Austin Amos, a 22-year-old resident of Arverne, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his involvement in the fatal attack on 52-year-old taxi driver Kutin Gyimah in 2022. The sentencing was announced today by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

The incident, which led to Gyimah’s death, occurred after a dispute over an unpaid taxi fare from Manhattan to Far Rockaway. Amos, along with Nickolas Porter and three minors, were accused of assaulting Gyimah after they exited the taxi without paying. Video surveillance captured the group pummeling the driver, with Amos delivering a final blow that caused Gyimah to fall and fatally hit his head on the pavement.

Amos pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in May and was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Nickolas Porter, also involved in the incident, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted gang assault and received a two-year prison sentence earlier in February.

DA Katz expressed gratitude towards the prosecutors and the NYPD for their efforts in securing justice for Gyimah, stating, “Kutin Gyimah was brutally beaten and left for dead by Austin Amos and his codefendants after being confronted by Gyimah when the group ran off without paying their cab fare.”

Phil Stilton

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