Queens Subway Hammer Attacker Gets 25 Years to Life

William Blount was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for a brutal, unprovoked hammer attack on Nina Rothschild at the Queens Plaza subway station in February 2022. Surveillance footage showed Blount, who was walking with a cane, kick Rothschild down the stairs and strike her in the head 13 times before stealing her tote bag. Rothschild, a New York City Health Department researcher, suffered multiple skull fractures, a broken finger, and required intensive surgery with titanium mesh to repair her skull. Blount was convicted of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon, but was acquitted of attempted murder. Rothschild bravely testified and confronted Blount in court, while Blount showed no remorse and maintained his innocence. The case drew national attention and prompted strong statements from both the judge and prosecutors about the importance of transit safety and justice for violent offenders.