Defendant: Joseph Abraham (DOB 02/24/63)
Aug. 22, 2018 -- Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced that Westchester County Court Judge Barry Warhit sentenced Joseph Abraham of Yonkers to 18-years-to-life in state prison for the murder of his wife. Abraham pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony, to the brutal stabbing of 25-year-old Amanda Trenck in the couple’s Yonkers apartment in May 2017.
Background
On May 21, 2017, at approximately 1:30 a.m., an argument broke out between Abraham and his wife, Amanda Trenck, in their home at 59 Van Cortlandt Park Ave. in Yonkers. At approximately 9 a.m., the defendant was found unconscious in a full bathtub. Cuts were visible on both of his wrists and the right side of his neck. The body of Trenck was found in their bedroom slumped over the bed with multiple stab wounds and a large amount of blood visible around her. Following a 911 call, Yonkers Police and emergency services responded to the location. The defendant was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers for treatment. The victim was declared dead at the scene. Two knives were recovered from the bedroom where Trenck’s body was found. Yonkers detectives interviewed Abraham in the hospital where he was subsequently arrested and charged with his wife’s death. He pleaded guilty June 5, 2018.
In court today
Prior to sentencing, the victim's mother, father and grandmother addressed the court explaining the impact of Trenck’s murder on them and her 3-year-old daughter.
In part of his statement, Amanda’s father, Jeffery Trenck, described the violent end of his daughter’s life: “I have read the coroner’s report and the last moments of my daughter’s life were truly horrific, she was attacked while asleep in bed and woke to multiple stabs in the back. She turned over and fought for her life only to continue to receive a vicious attack, broken ribs and several more stabs to the chest and neck and succumbed to these wounds and loss of blood.”
He added the impact of his daughter’s murder on the whole family: “In prison you can have visitors and make phone calls. I will never again receive a phone call or text message on my birthday, Father’s Day, anniversary or holiday from my daughter. This is not a victory. There will be no celebration. I take no joy in the sentence handed down – I just want what is fair for the suffering that Amanda’s family and friends have to endure for the remainder of their lives with her loss.”
Amanda’s mother, Kim Trenck, put it simply: “I am not the type of person who hates other people, but I hate you so much for what you have done to our daughter, Amanda, and to our granddaughter, Victoria.”
Amanda’s grandmother, Anne Trenck, did not say Abraham’s name. She only referred to him by his inmate number. She said, “I am unable to forgive you.” And told the court, “Please consider the most innocent person of all in these circumstances, Victoria. She must spend the rest of her life learning to deal with the fact that her father murdered her mother.”
Before reading the sentence, Judge Warhit called Abraham a “gutless coward.” Saying a little girl was left with no mother, and told Abraham, “She’ll learn of your behavior going forward…This is all your doing.” With that, he sentenced Abraham to 18-years-to-life, meaning he cannot seek parole until 18 years into his prison term.
Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Strongin of the Superior Court Trial Division and Assistant District Attorney Nadine Nagler, Deputy Bureau Chief the Vehicular Crimes Division, prosecuted the case.
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In compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.6, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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