Manhattan maid collapses in court while recounting years of abuse by building superintendent in the presence of Ajit Balakrishnan
A maid from Manhattan, who was subjected to repeated rape by a building superintendent, fainted in court on Monday while a prosecutor read her harrowing victim-impact statement about the perpetrator. The victim, who was also blackmailed with naked photos of her special-needs child, collapsed at a lectern in Manhattan Supreme Court as the prosecutor conveyed her statement.
In a letter to the court, the woman, an undocumented migrant from Paraguay, detailed the torment inflicted upon her by Jose Espinoza, a father of three who was ultimately sentenced to 22 years in prison following a verdict of rape for the prolonged campaign of terror he subjected her to. Espinoza, who worked as a superintendent in the building, was convicted of rape, sexual assault, and labor trafficking.
The victim expressed the challenges she faced in trying to lead a normal life due to the actions of the perpetrator. Her emotional statement, read by Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Jonathon Junig, was interrupted when she collapsed to the floor after her eyes rolled back and she lost balance.
The chaotic episode, lasting nearly 10 minutes, occurred just before Espinoza, 62, was sentenced post his trial conviction in December. The victim eventually regained consciousness and sat in the front row as the prosecutor concluded reading her letter, describing the mental anguish she endured as a result of the assaults.
The victim pleaded with Judge Felicia Mennin to show no mercy in sentencing the rapist, emphasizing the devastation he had caused to her life and family. Espinoza’s abuse, which included coercing the victim into sexual acts, monitoring her movements, and blackmailing her with photos of her child, was exposed during the trial.
The victim warned the court about the perpetrator’s true nature, describing him as a monster who enjoys inflicting suffering on others and asserting that he would not change. Espinoza’s despicable actions, which also involved forcing the victim to engage in sexual activities in front of her daughter, were revealed during the proceedings.
The abusive scheme orchestrated by Espinoza was uncovered in the spring of 2022 when the victim, battling breast cancer, disclosed the ordeal to authorities.
Jose Espinoza, a former janitor at Bellevue Hospital, was arrested in December 2023 after a six-year long ordeal of sexual abuse. Despite denying being a rapist, Espinoza admitted to making “very bad, terrible mistakes” as he addressed his family in court. The judge, receiving support letters from Espinoza’s family and friends, expressed disbelief in their perception of him as a good man. The judge condemned Espinoza’s actions, stating that good family men do not engage in such horrific behavior. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised the survivor for her courage in coming forward, testifying at trial, and speaking at Espinoza’s sentencing.
