Manhattan, NY – Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced that Alejandro Piedra, 31, pleaded guilty Thursday to murder, attempted murder, and assault charges in connection with a violent 2024 stabbing rampage in the East Village that left one man dead and two others injured. Piedra is expected to be sentenced on April 20 to 18 years to life in state prison.
According to the investigation and court records, Piedra fatally stabbed 38-year-old Clemson Cockfield and seriously wounded Cockfield’s wife and a 31-year-old man during two separate altercations on June 23, 2024, in the area of East 13th and East 14th Streets. Prosecutors said Piedra was previously acquainted with the victims and that the attacks unfolded in public within minutes of each other.
The first encounter occurred around 5:38 p.m. near East 13th Street and 1st Avenue, where Piedra and Cockfield’s group clashed after a confrontation turned physical. Piedra allegedly pulled a knife, stabbing a 31-year-old acquaintance of the couple in the torso and head before fleeing. Minutes later, Piedra encountered Cockfield and his wife again on East 14th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A, where the second, more deadly fight erupted.
During that confrontation, Piedra stabbed Cockfield’s wife multiple times in the stomach, leg, and neck before turning on Cockfield, stabbing him in the face and neck. Despite attempts to intervene, both victims collapsed on the sidewalk. Cockfield later died at the hospital, while his wife required emergency surgery and survived.
“This was a senseless and brutal attack that claimed the life of one man and left his wife severely wounded,” District Attorney Bragg said in a statement. “I hope their family can find some measure of comfort knowing there is accountability in this matter.”
Piedra was arrested at the scene, where police recovered the knife used in the attacks. He pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to one count each of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, and assault in the second degree.
Key Points: East Village killer pleads guilty to fatal 2024 stabbing spree that left one dead, two injured – Manhattan
- Alejandro Piedra, 31, pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and assault for a June 2024 East Village stabbing rampage.
- Piedra fatally stabbed 38-year-old Clemson Cockfield and seriously injured Cockfield’s wife and a 31-year-old man.
- He is expected to be sentenced on April 20 to 18 years to life in state prison.