The husband who allegedly stabbed his wife in the neck in front of her three children in Richmond Hill this month could get life in prison if he is convicted of second-degree murder.
Police said 37-year-old Oscar Novakovsky allegedly told them at the scene of the crime “ . . . The kids were screaming. The kids were trying to pull me off and were crying,” a statement from District Attorney Richard Brown’s office said.
According to the charges against him, Novakovsky entered the home of Diane Sharma—his estranged wife—some time after midnight on Jan. 15.
In the house at 101-41 117th Street, Novakovsky allegedly stabbed Sharma in front of their three children—
three, five and nine—killing her and leaving a knife protruding from her neck.
Police said they followed a trail of blood several blocks to Novakovsky where they found and arrested him. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of cuts on his arms and hands.
Novakovsky lived about four blocks away from the family at 103-24 121st Street in the South Richmond Hill before the stabbing.
The family had an order of protection against him when Sharma was killed.
“It is difficult to imagine a crime more heinous than that of a father viciously attacking his wife in front of their three small children. The children will have to bear the emotional scars of what they witnessed for the rest of their lives. The charges against the defendant will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Brown said.
Novakovsky was arraigned on Jan. 25 on one count of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated criminal contempt, three counts of second-degree criminal contempt, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon.
He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted and was held without bail. His next court date is Feb. 7.
By Jeremiah Dobruck
j.dobruck@theforumnewsgroup.com
Photo Courtesy of Facebook.com
