A young mother from the Bronx left court visibly distraught this week after the man who nearly ended her life was sentenced to less than a decade in prison. Kaitlynn Berman, 23, vomited outside Bronx Supreme Court on Wednesday following the sentencing of Christopher Joseph, also 23, who pleaded guilty to attempting to murder her in a violent knife attack more than a year and a half earlier.

The ᴀssault occurred in March 2025 inside Berman’s apartment in the Wakefield neighborhood. She had been caring for a friend’s cat when Joseph, the boyfriend of that friend and someone she knew, arrived at the residence to collect the animal. According to accounts given to prosecutors and later shared publicly, Joseph entered the apartment and claimed his girlfriend had agreed that he could have Sєxual relations with Berman. When she refused, he became aggressive and launched a sudden, sustained attack.

Joseph stabbed Berman roughly 22 times, targeting her face, neck, hands, and abdomen. He also inflicted deep cuts to her throat, the area beneath her right eye, and across her nose, leaving her critically wounded. Her three-year-old daughter was in an adjacent room throughout the violence. After the ᴀssault, Joseph took Berman’s cell phone and approximately $5,700 in cash before fleeing the scene. He was arrested a short time later at a nearby subway station, still covered in blood.

Berman was rushed to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where she remained for 48 days. Doctors performed three surgeries and administered multiple blood transfusions to save her life. The long-term consequences have been severe. She continues to experience post-traumatic stress, permanent nerve damage in both hands, chronic pain and trauma on the right side of her face, and extensive scarring. Supporters say the injuries have significantly restricted her independence and ability to work.

In court, Berman confronted Joseph directly during a lengthy and emotional victim impact statement that lasted about 15 minutes. “You failed to take my life, and you won’t take away my future,” she told him. Joseph displayed little visible reaction and declined the chance to address the court.

Joseph had entered a guilty plea in September to second-degree attempted murder. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office recommended a 10-year prison sentence, while defense attorneys argued for a shorter term. Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis imposed a sentence of eight-and-a-half years, followed by five years of post-release supervision. The judge also issued a permanent order of protection preventing Joseph from contacting Berman.

Outside the courthouse, Berman’s advocate, Bishop Boyde Singletary, voiced strong dissatisfaction with the outcome. He described Joseph as a “monster” who showed no remorse and argued that a far longer sentence—suggesting one year for each of the 22 stab wounds—would have been more appropriate. Singletary noted that Berman was so overwhelmed by the ruling that she became physically ill. He and other supporters have stated they intend to seek a formal review or challenge of the sentence through the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.

In comments after the hearing, Berman herself expressed deep frustration. “He stabbed me more times than the years he was sentenced for,” she said. “It was upsetting, it was heartbreaking… Eight years is not enough.”

The case has drawn attention to questions about sentencing in violent crimes and the lasting impact on survivors. Berman’s supporters continue to press for greater accountability, insisting that the punishment does not adequately reflect the severity of the attack or the permanent harm inflicted on a young mother who was simply trying to protect herself and her child.