No death penalty: Islamist attacker on Halloween gets life sentence in New York Kremlin spokesman reports on fighting between Russian elites

An Islamic hit man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of eight people in New York. Because the jury, according to consistent media reports, could not agree on a death sentence for the 35-year-old on Monday, he was automatically given the maximum possible prison sentence.

The perpetrator, who was found guilty in January, would have received the death penalty, which is extremely rare in New York State, had a unanimous decision been reached. The last execution there took place in the 1960s.

On October 31, 2017, Halloween Day, the hitman drove a pickup truck into cyclists and pedestrians in New York. The Uzbek native and outspoken Islamist killed eight people and wounded 11 others in the Manhattan attack. Finally, the then 29-year-old drove into the van on a school bus. As he got out, a police officer shot and arrested him. The assassin later told the FBI that he was proud of what he had done.

At the New York trial, the defense admitted their client committed the crime. He wanted to die a martyr. The 28 charges included eight murders, twelve attempted murders and support for the Islamic State terror group. (sda/dpa)