Jon Romano holds no rage for sword attacker: ‘I’ve learned that would do me no good’Randell Mason ordered to serve prison time in prison for August attack on Romano that judge says was “over nothing”Jon Romano, right, delivers a victim impact statement to his attacker.
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Randell Mason, during a sentencing under state Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough, left, on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Albany County Courthouse in Albany, N.Y. Mason was sentenced to 25 years in state prison.
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Randell Mason on Friday received a 25-year prison sentence and a scolding from a judge but rare compassion and well-wishes from the victim he maimed in a sword-inflicted attack last year inside a Sheridan Avenue homeless shelter.
Some people think that I’d be filled with anger and rage, but I’ve learned that would do me no good. That would harm me,” Jon Romano told his attacker from the witness stand of acting Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough’s courtroom. “I want you to know that although my life will never be the same, I will move forward and do well. And I wish you well.
In his words to Mason, Romano highlighted a quote that “to hold onto anger is to drink poison and expect the other person to suffer.”On Feb. 10, Mason pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder for the Aug. 29 attack on Romano inside the Community Connections Drop-in Center at the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless at 176 Sheridan Ave.
Mason told police he “chopped up” the victin because Romano had been “disrespecting me,” according to court papers.