NEW YORK, NY — In a somber arraignment held at 11 p.m. on Saturday, 24-year-old Diego Figueroa-Hepner was ordered to be held without bail on charges of second-degree murder following the fatal slashing of his neighbor, musician Johnny Medina, in the 175th Street subway station in Washington Heights.
During the proceedings in Manhattan Criminal Court, prosecutors described the incident as a “brazen crime” committed “with no regard for the victim’s life,” stating that Figueroa-Hepner left Medina “to die on the steps” of the subway station.
The assistant district attorney emphasized the severity of the crime and argued that the defendant poses a significant flight risk, given the potential life sentence.
Figueroa-Hepner, who did not speak during his arraignment, faces additional charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. The indictment specifies that on June 21, he unlawfully possessed a sharp object with the intent to use it against another person.
The case continues to develop, and Figueroa-Hepner will remain in custody pending further court proceedings, highlighting the gravity of the charges against him.
