A man from New York, known for his violent past, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for strangling his girlfriend to death. Waheed Foster, 44, was convicted of the death of Jessica Miller, 41, in a case announced by Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark.
Foster pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and third-degree assault. The sentence will run consecutively with a 22-year prison term he received for attacking a commuter in Queens shortly after Miller’s death.
The tragic events began on August 4, 2022, when Miller visited Foster at a mental health facility in the Bronx. Foster signed in at the front desk with Miller and then went to his room. Later that evening, Foster left the building and never returned. Two days later, a wellness check revealed Miller’s body in his room. Foster had been in custody for another attack at the time.
Foster had attacked Elizabeth Gomes, a commuter, at the Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station. She was on her way to work when Foster punched and kicked her in the head without any provocation. Gomes suffered severe injuries, including the loss of her right eye.
In a statement to the court, Gomes described the trauma she still faces, saying, “Every time I look in the mirror, I always remember,” and added that she feels afraid every time she gets on the train.
In an interview from jail, Foster downplayed his actions, stating that he was not trying to kill Gomes but simply to give her a “real good a– whooping.” He added that if he had stomped on her face, she would have been dead.
At the sentencing for the subway attack, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz expressed relief that Gomes survived, calling it a miracle. Queens Supreme Court Judge Ira Margulis also criticized Foster’s release, saying he should have been in a mental hospital receiving treatment, as his crimes seemed to escalate whenever he was off his medication.
Foster’s violent history dates back to 1995 when, at the age of 14, he killed his 82-year-old foster grandmother. Later, he stabbed his sister with a screwdriver. In 2010, he attacked staff members at a psychiatric outpatient center after being diagnosed with schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder. He walked into a third-floor office and stabbed one employee before attacking two others. Foster then fled the scene, leading to his arrest.
Foster’s lengthy criminal history and repeated offenses have raised questions about the adequacy of his mental health care and the risks of releasing individuals with severe psychiatric conditions without proper supervision.
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Archer Bannister is a journalist with 4 years of experience covering hard-hitting stories. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Archer specializes in delivering timely and in-depth updates on a variety of topics, including crime news, politics, and national issues affecting the USA. His expertise and dedication to delivering accurate, impactful news make him a trusted voice for audiences seeking to stay informed on critical topics.
