Trigger Warning: This article contains references to the alleged murder that some readers may find distressing.

New York man, Rajab Banahi, was sentenced to three consecutive life imprisonment sentences after he fatally stabbed his parents and sister in 2023 in their home. The judge gave him the maximum sentence, considering the gruesome crime; however, what surprised many was Banahi’s demeanor in the court.

He called out his parents in the court, “I did not stab my father 30 times. This was not a rage against my family. They were the ones who bullied me.” Moreover, he blamed his father for all the things that were wrong in his life, which led to the murders.

At the time of the murder, his father had a protection order against him, and he was not supposed to visit them at their residence on Kathy Drive in Henrietta, New York. Before the murder of his father, Banahi had threatened to kill him on multiple occasions.

He grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his father, Ali, to death. When his mom and sister came to defend Ali, he stabbed them, instantly killing his mom, Mastoora.


His sister Masurda died 17 days after the incident. The New York man called 911 on himself, admitting to the killings. The prosecutor in court noted Banahi was full of anger when he committed the crime. He stabbed his bedridden father over 30 times.

Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher said in court, “He was weak, he was helpless, and his son, his own son, came into his bedroom and started attacking him, stabbing him on multiple occasions with a knife until the knife broke off in his shoulder.”

Gallagher further added, “And then he goes and stabs his mother and sister, and then once again continues to stab his father, stabbing him over 30 times total. As the police are arriving in his front yard, he’s still stabbing his father.” Judge Michael Dollinger found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison without parole on three counts of first-degree murder and aggravated criminal contempt.

Courtroom footage of the incident was published by several news outlets, including local affiliate 13WHAM ABC News.

Viewers were surprised to see Banahi’s behavior in court, as one commented, “He sounds like a terrible human being. Blaming all of his issues on his sick dad. Taking no responsibility for his own life and now for his crimes.”


One more posted, “I hope he really does stay behind bars the rest of his life.”

Another one pointed out, “Life without parole, so the public has to pay to feed, provide shelter, medical, for life. And he took three lives. Is this justice?”

“We sentence you, the taxpayer, to pay for his upkeep, including but not limited to accommodation, food, clothes, medical, dental and legal needs and his every and all other living requirements, for the rest of his natural life. And may God have mercy on your souls,” commented another viewer.

Needless to say, many were hoping for capital punishment for the gruesome crime, and now the taxpayers’ money will go toward keeping him imprisoned.

Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public video record.