Crime Brooklyn Heights

Ukrainian native gets 7 years for stabbing boss in Brooklyn Heights

November 30, 2017 By Paul Frangipane Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Andriy Komynar awaits sentencing in Brooklyn Supreme Court. Eagle photo by Paul Frangipane
Andriy Komynar awaits sentencing in Brooklyn Supreme Court. Eagle photo by Paul Frangipane
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A 23-year-old Ukrainian native in the U.S. for work and family was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday for stabbing his former boss in Brooklyn Heights over money.

Construction manager Yaakov Pfeiffer survived the Sept. 22, 2014 Montague Street stabbing to his neck, arm and shoulder and visited Brooklyn Supreme Court Thursday to voice his grievances.

“Whatever sentencing he’s gonna get, I’m gonna be suffering the rest of my life,” Pfeiffer said, pointing to his attacker Andriy Komynar. “I believe he should get max for what he did to me.”

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Pfeiffer told Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Miriam Cyrulnik of his permanent injuries from the dispute that started over $360 owed to the worker.

“I’m terribly sorry for what happened to Mr. Pfeiffer,” Komynar said in English with a Ukrainian translator next to him. “I think about it every day.”

Komynar prayed for mercy from Cyrulnik, telling the tale of his visitation to the U.S. for just three months when he landed himself in jail.

Cyrulnik reminded Komynar that a jury found him guilty of intended felony assault, despite his argument of self-defense.

“The facts speak for themselves. Mr. Pfeiffer almost died,” the judge said before dealing the max sentence that brought sighs from the audience. “It is clear that on Sept. 22, 2014, it was not your time,” she told Pfeiffer.

Defense attorney Michael Talassazam argued for the minimum sentence, citing his client’s clean record, support from family and friends and participation in a teaching program in jail.


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