Schenectady man sentenced for attempted murder of estranged wife

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday for trying to hit his estranged wife with his car in July 2023. The Schenectady County District Attorney's Office said Sherifulah Hashimi, 62, was found guilty during a jury trial on February 3.

The jury convicted Hashimi of hitting his estranged wife, who tried to run across the street to get away from him on July 23, 2023, at the Southgate Housing Complex. Private surveillance cameras captured the attack.

Hashimi's vehicle's computer system showed he didn't put his foot on the brake until about three seconds before the crash, to which he then removed it, pressing on the gas pedal 100% for more than two seconds. Hashimi then steered in the victim's direction to pin her between his car and a parked car on the street.

When Hashimi hit the victim, she was thrown in the air and landed on the roof of the parked car. The victim had non-life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital the same day as the attack.

The DA's office said the victim had an order of protection against Hashimi when the attack happened. Hashimi also told police during an interview after he was arrested, which was played for the jury during his trial, that he had mistaken the gas pedal for the brake.

Charges

• Second-degree attempted murder: 20-year sentence
• First-degree attempted assault: 15-year sentence
• Second-degree assault, 7-year sentence
• Aggravated criminal contempt: 2 1/3 to 7-year sentence
• First-degree criminal contempt: 1 1/3 to 4-year sentence
• Leaving the scene of a personal injury: 1-year sentence
• Leaving the scene of property damage: 15-day sentence

“By your actions you gave her the one thing you did not want her to have, a life without you," said Judge Matthew J. Sypniewski at the sentencing. "May she now have her peace."

Hashimi's sentences are being served concurrently. He was also sentenced to five years of probation.