https://nypost.com/2025/05/29/us-news/pure-evil-transgender-woman-who-viciously-stabbed-postal-worker-to-death-in-nyc-deli-sentenced-to-15-years/
‘Pure evil’ transgender woman who fatally stabbed postal worker inside NYC deli sentenced to 15 years: ‘Disgusting excuse for a human being’
The knife-wielding transgender woman who viciously stabbed a postal worker to death in a Harlem deli earlier this year was sentenced Thursday to 15 years behind bars.
Jaia Cruz, 24 — who ruthlessly killed USPS worker Ray Hodges after an argument in January — was given the sentence after striking a plea deal, infuriating relatives of Hodges at the Manhattan court hearing who wanted more time.
“This is pure evil. This is a disgusting excuse for a human being and you allowed a second chance,” the mother of Hodges’ children told Judge Gregory Carro
Cruz knifed Hodges after he confronted her about cutting him in line at the counter inside the bodega — later saying that he “deserved it,” according to prosecutors.
At the sentencing Thursday, an attorney for Cruz’ said Hodges made a “slur” about “her gender identity” during the deli clash.
The lawyer also listed medications that Cruz, who has history of knife violence, has been taking to maintain her gender and requested that she be placed in female jail facility.
After the sentencing, Hodges’ furious family members began chanting “It’s a boy!” and “F–king boy!”inside the courtroom.