NEWBURGH, NY – A jealous taxi cab driver who stalked a woman and stabbed her fiance was sentenced to 12 years in prison this week.
Jonathan Esson, 34, plead guilty to attempted murder for the daylight stabbing of the man as he was unloading groceries from his trunk.
According to court documents, Esson drove his taxicab by a man who was at the rear of his vehicle near his fiancée and two children on July 9, 2021 in the City of Newburgh.
“Esson had been pursuing the man’s fiancée and had stalked her for a period of time leading up to that day,” Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said in a statement. “Upon seeing the man, Esson stopped his taxicab, crossed the street, and stabbed the man a single time in the back as he was taking groceries out of his trunk.”
Esson fled the scene, but was later arrested by police that same day. Police found the knife used during the attack in his possession.
“The victim drove to the hospital and was treated for serious injuries while there,” investigaors said. ” After his arrest, Esson made statements to the police that indicated his intent was to kill the victim. At the time of his plea, Esson admitted that he attempted to kill the man when he stabbed him in the back.”