Trevor Bickford, a young man from Maine, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to kill three police officers with a machete in a terrorist attack near New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The attack occurred as officers were screening New Year’s revelers at the sole entrance to Times Square. Bickford shouted “Allahu akbar” before attacking the officers, causing one to suffer a fractured skull. The threat ended when Officer Michael Hanna shot Bickford in the shoulder. Bickford admitted to studying radical Islamic ideology and planning to wage jihad against U.S. officials.
The judge cited Bickford’s age of 20 and history of mental illness as reasons for leniency in sentencing. Bickford’s mental illnesses include schizoaffective bipolar disorder and major depression syndrome with symptoms of depression, mania, grandiosity, and hallucinations. The judge noted that Bickford’s mother had sought help from police and hospitals as she witnessed her son’s descent into mental illness. Bickford had told mental health professionals 20 days before the attack that he had a plan to harm others and intended to commit a jihadist attack.
Bickford apologized to the officers he harmed and other witnesses to his crime during the sentencing hearing. Officer Michael Hanna, who was attacked by Bickford, recalled the incident and the immediate action he took to subdue the attacker. Another officer, Louis Lorio, described the physical and emotional impact of the attack, including weekly migraine headaches and anxiety that may force him into retirement. Officer Paul Cozzolino, who had just graduated from the police academy, also shared the lasting pain and emotional toll of the attack.
Bickford’s defense attorney emphasized his remorse and family’s military background, noting that he had aspired to join the military before his mental illnesses became overwhelming. She stated that Bickford had returned to his old self with medication and treatment. However, the prosecutor urged the judge to consider Bickford’s potential to revert to his former state of mind without medication, emphasizing the consequences of his actions on innocent New Yorkers. The judge ordered lifelong monitoring of Bickford’s internet usage and other activities after his release from prison.
The sentencing hearing was emotional, with the officers recounting the traumatic attack and its impact on their lives. While Bickford expressed regret for his actions and the harm he caused, the judge and prosecutors emphasized the severity of the crime and the need for continued monitoring post-release. The judge’s decision to impose a 27-year sentence reflected a balance of Bickford’s age, mental illness, and potential for rehabilitation, while also recognizing the gravity of the attack. The officers involved highlighted the long-lasting physical and emotional consequences they continue to face as a result of the attack.
