Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Mark Albano was convicted yesterday by a jury of murder, attempted murder and other crimes for stabbing four men in 2021, killing one on the Grand Avenue-Newton subway platform and seriously injuring three others. These attacks took place on four separate days over two-week period.

District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant went on a completely unprovoked stabbing spree on the streets of Astoria and Elmhurst. One incident cost a man his life and another left an unsuspecting victim with permanent injuries. The jury has spoken, and the defendant now faces up to 100 years to life in prison. We hope the verdict provides a measure of solace to the victim’s loved ones.”

Albano, 39, of Elmhurst, was convicted of murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, three counts of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted assault in the first degree and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Trial openings began on April 28, and closings took place on May 13. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours before reaching a verdict.  Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant ordered Albano to return to court on July 24 when he faces up to 100 years to life in prison.

According to the charges and trial testimony, on April 23, 2021, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the defendant approached 57-year-old Leroy Williams on the platform of the Grand Avenue-Newtown subway station in Elmhurst. Albano stabbed the victim once in the chest and then fled. He discarded the jacket he was wearing in a trash can a few blocks from the station. The victim died at a nearby hospital from the injury.

On May 3, 2021, Albano approached a man from behind on 35^th Avenue in Astoria and stabbed him once in the back of the neck, then fled. The victim was taken to an area hospital for stitches.

Four days later, at approximately 8 p.m., Albano followed a third victim on 51^st Avenue near 90^th Street in Elmhurst. Without provocation, Albano closed in on the 31-year-old man and stabbed him in the back of his neck. The victim fell to the ground in pain but was able to see Albano running away from him carrying a bag.

The victim’s spinal cord was severed, and he sustained permanent injuries from the attack.

The next day, May 8, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Albano confronted a 40-year-old man in a reputed gambling den in Elmhurst. Albano pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in his arm and armpit.

Responding police officers found the victim lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to a hospital, where he needed both stitches and staples to close the stab wounds.

Police apprehended Albano blocks away from the scene, carrying a bag that contained a knife.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Gregory Lasak, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Alison Miller under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, Karen Ross and Jonathan Selkowe, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.