Man Pleads Guilty To Hate Crime Stabbing In Egleston Square

BOSTON — The man accused of stabbing of a person in wheelchair, leaving them in the hospital having to undergo multiple blood transfusions, agreed to a plea deal, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office.

David Delacruz, 31, on Thursday pleaded guilty to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a disabled person, assault and battery for the purposes of intimidation, and violation of the person's civil rights.

District Attorney Rachel Rollins called the stabbing a hate crime, motivated by transphobia.

Judge Robert Tochka sentenced Delacruz to a term of five to seven years in state prison followed by two years of probation, during which time he must stay away from and have no contact with the victim, stay away from the area of Egleston Square where the attack took place, wear a GPS monitor, and undergo an alcohol abuse evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary.

“The lengthy prison term imposed in this case reflects the seriousness of the attack, which left the victim fighting for her life,” Rollins said in a statement. “This outcome sends a clear message that there’s no place in our society for hate or the violence it fuels. Regardless of who you are, where you’re from, or how you identify yourself, we will fight for your right to be safe and secure in Suffolk County.”

On June 13, 2017, Delacruz and the victim were among a group gathered outside a Washington Street pizza shop in Egleston Square when Delacruz directed a homophobic slur at the victim, leading to an argument, according to the DA's office.

A public safety camera footage showed he charged at the woman, knocking her from her wheelchair and stabbing her multiple times in the arms and abdomen. The attack ended only when a witness pulled Delacruz from the woman.

The woman was transported to Boston Medical Center, where she required three blood transfusions and remained hospitalized for seven days.

During an interview with Boston Police, the woman was able to identify her attacker by name and by his nickname, “Dangerous.” She later positively identified him in a photo array, according to the DA's office.

“First, I want to thank the person who intervened and pulled the defendant off the victim. Had they not stepped in, this terrifying assault may have ended much worse,” Rollins said in a release. “The harm caused by hate crimes directly impacts the targeted individual, but it also spreads fear across entire neighborhoods and communities. The prosecutors, advocates, and support staff at my office understand that harm and we’re here to meet every victim and survivor with the dignity and compassion they deserve.”

The DA urges anyone who believes they are a victim of a hate crime to call 911 when it happens.

The Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Health can be reached at 617-927-6250 for access to services in the aftermath of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community. The program offers services to survivors including counseling, support groups, and referrals provided by specially-trained staff in an inclusive environment.

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Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).