A Manhattan jury has convicted 24-year-old Orsen Reyes in a brutal Midtown subway attack that prosecutors say left a 48-year-old commuter with a traumatic brain injury and facial fractures. The assault unfolded in the early hours of Dec. 30, 2024, on the northbound C-train platform at the 50th Street station, according to prosecutors. Reyes was found guilty on April 23, 2026, of attempted murder in the second degree and multiple counts of assault, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2026.
Prosecutors Say Jury Backed "Prolonged" Subway Beatdown Case
In a statement posted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on X, prosecutors said jurors concluded that Reyes carried out what they described as a "prolonged act of violence" and returned guilty verdicts across the top counts. "The conviction holds him accountable for this prolonged act of violence and reaffirms our commitment to protecting New Yorkers navigating our transit system," Bragg said in the announcement on X. According to the DA’s post, Reyes was convicted on April 23, 2026, of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, and assault in the second degree.
On The Platform: Stomping, Slashing, And Life-Threatening Injuries
Local reporting and court filings describe a short but savage encounter on the platform that left the victim critically injured. Prosecutors told jurors that Reyes stomped on the man’s head more than 20 times, then slashed him multiple times, as reported by Patch. Court documents show the victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital with a traumatic brain injury, a fractured orbital bone, and multiple lacerations and that he was hospitalized for about a week, according to amNY.
Fast Arrest, Video Evidence, And Recovered Weapons
Bystanders called 911 and recorded portions of the assault, and transit officers tracked Reyes down near West 59th Street and Columbus Circle minutes later, officials said. Officers recovered a knife and two screwdrivers from his possession at the time of the arrest, according to the DA’s announcement on X. Prosecutors said the eyewitness video and rapid police response were critical pieces of evidence at trial.
Trial, Conviction, And What Comes Next For Reyes
Reyes, who was 23 at the time of the attack and is now 24, was convicted after a trial that featured witness testimony and video from the platform. He faces formal sentencing on June 24, 2026. The original indictment charged attempted murder, multiple counts of first and second degree assault, and weapons counts, as earlier reported in coverage of the original attempted murder charges. The Manhattan DA’s office has said the verdict reflects its focus on prosecuting violent crime in the transit system.
Transit Fears, Extra Cops, And A High-Profile Verdict
The conviction lands at a time when city and state officials have already ramped up subway patrols after several high-profile attacks and other incidents. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced additional officers and deployments to overnight trains earlier this year, as reported by ABC News. Prosecutors framed the Reyes verdict as an example of witnesses, transit officers, and their office working in tandem to secure accountability for violent acts in the system.
Sentencing on June 24 will determine Reyes’s punishment, and the DA’s office said it hopes the verdict will reassure riders that serious transit violence will be pursued in court. The victim continues recovery at Bellevue Hospital.
