White Plains Man Gets 25 Years For Pushing Student In Front Of Train

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- A homeless man from White Plains was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to pushing a student in front of a Metro-North train in 2013, according to Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore.

A White Plains homeless man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for pushing a woman in front of a Metro-North train.
Photo Credit: *Flickr*

Joe Jenkins

01/20/2015 1:30 p.m.

Howard Mickens, 41, was charged with pushing Maya Leggat in front of an oncoming train while the two waited on the platform on Sept. 25, 2013. Leggat sustained multiple injuries including broken back, a severed finger, multiple broken bones and lacerations across her body, the district attorney said.

“Without any warning or prior interaction, this defendant pushed a young woman on her way to school in front of a moving commuter train," DiFiore said in a statement. "While this young woman’s quick and clear headed thinking saved her life, this defendant will now be held to account for his actions and serve the maximum sentence allowed by law.”

Mickens attempted to flee the scene, but was detained by officers, the district attorney said. He pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted murder in December.

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