Sunset Park

Brooklyn man in rehab program after pleading guilty to Sunset Park stabbing

November 28, 2017 By Paul Frangipane Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Erick Pastuizaca will be monitored by Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic at Brooklyn Supreme Court while he attends a rehabilitation program after pleading guilty to felony assault. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese
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A Brooklyn judge has taken a chance on a man who had previously pleaded guilty to felony assault charges for a Sunset Park stabbing.

In a stark contrast from his previous outfit of handcuffs and tan prison sweats, Erick Pastuizaca arrived at Brooklyn Supreme Court in a gray suit and tie for his program evaluation on Tuesday morning in front of Justice Matthew D’Emic. While he is in the program and attending court-ordered rehabilitation, he is free from jail.

Pastuizaca was released from Rikers Island after he pleaded guilty before D’Emic on Nov. 14 for the Oct. 16, 2015 stabbing. Conditions of the plea were a roughly 18-to-24-week mental health program followed by probation, dependent on his performance in the program, according to his attorney Paul Hirsch.

Pastuizaca is charged for stabbing a man in the stomach in front of his wife and 8-year-old son on 41st Street near Sixth Avenue in Sunset Park.

“You’re Arabic, go back to your country,” Pastuizaca yelled to the man before stabbing him, according to a criminal complaint.

His brother Manuel Pastuizaca, who is charged with felony assault as a hate crime, then allegedly jumped out of their car and said, “I’m going to stab you because you’re Arabic and you deserve it.”

Manuel then allegedly stabbed the man in the arm with a different knife while his brother fled. Manuel’s case is still pending before Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun while he is out on $50,000 bond bail.

The victim was left with a scar down the majority of his torso.

While on Rikers Island, Erick allegedly attacked a corrections officer and now has an open assault case in the Bronx. The turnout of that case will be dependent on his Brooklyn one, Hirsch said.

Erick is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 5 for his next weekly evaluation.

 

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