Defendant Claims Innocence After Courthouse Stabbing Incident Shocks Manhattan

A knife-wielding man with a history of antagonizing law enforcement has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder after allegedly stabbing three officers at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. The bloody courthouse attack raises serious questions about security measures at one of New York’s most prominent legal venues—the same building where President Trump recently stood trial.

At a glance:

• Jonathan Wohl, 37, pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree attempted murder for the June 16 courthouse attack

• The assault occurred in the lobby of the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, where President Trump’s criminal trial took place

• One officer suffered serious injuries to his face, neck, and back from Wohl’s folding knife

• A responding sergeant suffered broken ribs while another officer sustained bruising during the struggle

• Judge Michele Rodney ordered Wohl held without bail until his next court appearance on October 9

Courthouse Chaos and Blue Support

Jonathan Wohl, 37, appeared in court surrounded by a sea of uniformed officers showing solidarity with their injured colleagues after the June 16 attack. The defendant allegedly charged at officers with a folding knife in the lobby of the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, slashing and stabbing multiple officers in what prosecutors described as a violent rampage.

Judge Michele Rodney ordered Wohl held without bail during the hearing where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder in the first degree. The attack occurred beyond the court’s metal detectors, raising alarming questions about how the weapon entered the court lobby where security screenings should have prevented such an incident.

NEW: Today we announced the indictment of Jonathan Wohl for an alleged calculated attack on New York State Court Officers inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. Learn more here: https://t.co/9YH2aS82Zb

— Alvin Bragg (@ManhattanDA) July 3, 2025

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the seriousness of the attack while highlighting the risks faced by courthouse security personnel. “Court officers have the incredibly challenging job of keeping everyone in our courthouses safe, including judges, staff, attorneys, victims, witnesses, the public, and those facing criminal charges,” Bragg said.

Bragg further added, “We have absolutely no tolerance for any attack on their safety, and the significant charges in this indictment reflect the seriousness with which we are treating this matter.” The courthouse violence underscores growing concerns about public safety in New York City under progressive leadership that has often appeared soft on crime.

Officers’ Injuries and Suspect’s History

The attack left one officer with serious injuries to his face, neck, and back from Wohl’s folding knife. Prosecutors noted during the hearing that the injuries could have been even more severe if a straight-edge blade had been used instead of the folding knife wielded by the assailant.

On June 16, 2025, Jonathan Wohl, a 37-year-old from Queens, barged into Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre St. around 9:30 a.m. and attacked three court officers. He slashed one officer twice in the face, another in the neck, and shoved a third into a barrier in the lobby.… pic.twitter.com/mJNqm41KSX

— NewsTimeLive (@NewsTimeLive) June 16, 2025

A sergeant responding to the chaotic scene suffered broken ribs while attempting to subdue Wohl, and another officer sustained bruising during the struggle. Several court officers eventually managed to overpower the attacker near a bank of magnetometers, disarming him and taking him into custody after what witnesses described as a targeted assault on uniformed officers.

Court documents revealed that Wohl allegedly has a documented history of antagonizing law enforcement prior to this violent courthouse encounter. The incident took place in the same courthouse building where President Donald Trump’s criminal trial occurred earlier this year, highlighting the high-profile nature of this venue and raising serious questions about security protocols at such an important location.

The criminal investigation by the New York State Unified Court System continues as Wohl faces the possibility of decades behind bars if convicted of the attempted murder charges. The defendant remains jailed without bail until his next scheduled court appearance on October 9, where prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence supporting their case against the alleged knife-wielding assailant.