Jamaica man sentenced to up to life in prison for brutal 2017 stabbing

Eagle file photo by David Brand.

By Jonathan Sperling

A Jamaica man was sentenced to up to life in prison for stabbing another man at least a dozen times, killing him, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Marque Copeland was staying at a home on 145th Street in November 2017 when he attacked Christopher Cody amid an ongoing dispute. Cody was attacked after entering the home and opened the door to the home’s basement, where he was met by Copeland.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise, handed down Copeland’s sentence of 19 years to life in prison.

“The victim was viciously and unexpectedly attacked by the defendant with a knife inside a home where the defendant was staying. The victim unfortunately bled to death on the kitchen floor. The sentence imposed by the Court ensures that the defendant is held accountable for his brutal acts,” Acting Queens District Attorney John Ryan said in a statement.

Trial testimony revealed that Copeland repeatedly stabbed the victim in his face, torso and body before ultimately running from the scene. Cody sustained a total of 12 knife wounds during the attack and bled to death on the floor of the kitchen.

Investigators arrested Copeland after receiving a tip he was at a deli, police told the Daily News.