A New York City woman became physically ill in court after the man who stabbed her 20 times was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Kaitlynn Berman, 23, reportedly vomited after hearing the sentence given to Christopher Joseph, 23, for the brutal attack that occurred in March 2025.
Joseph was sentenced on Wednesday after he pulled a knife on Berman and repeatedly stabbed her in front of her daughter. The assault also involved the theft of Berman's cellphone and nearly $6,000 in cash. Joseph was arrested the following day and charged with attempted murder.
According to NBC New York, Berman's advisor, Bishop Boyde Singletary, stated that she was overwhelmed and "not satisfied" with the sentence, leading to her reaction. He added that Berman suffers from PTSD and has permanent nerve damage on both hands, affecting her ability to perform certain tasks, as well as trauma to the right side of her face.
Berman addressed Joseph directly in court, saying, "You failed to take my life, and you won’t take away my future." Pix11 reported that Joseph had slashed her throat twice, her face below her right eye, and across her nose. The extensive injuries required three surgeries and multiple blood transfusions during a two-day hospital stay.
Joseph had accepted a plea deal, and prosecutors had recommended a 10-year sentence. Berman had previously told CBS that Joseph continued to stab her despite her pleas for him to stop, and that it was difficult to believe she survived the attack. Joseph had initially pleaded not guilty in May 2025 and was released on his own recognizance in December of the previous year, reportedly due to an unanswered email regarding outstanding discovery information.
The judge asked Joseph if he wished to speak after Berman delivered her statement, but he declined.