White Plains, NY (WRGB) — Jason Cabassa, a 41-year-old man from Mount Vernon, has been sentenced to three years in state prison for a violent domestic assault against his former fiancée.
The incident occurred on March 6, 2024, and Cabassa was later convicted of strangulation in the second degree, a Class D violent felony. He also received concurrent sentences for aggravated criminal contempt, criminal contempt, assault in the third degree, and criminal obstruction of breathing.
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced the sentencing, which was delivered by Judge George Fufidio. The case has drawn attention during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the ongoing efforts to support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
The victim delivered a powerful impact statement in court, detailing the trauma she continues to endure:
“This crime did not just leave physical scars — it left emotional, mental, and spiritual wounds that I am still working to heal.”
Assistant District Attorney Michelle Lopez, Chief of the Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Bureau, argued for the maximum sentence, stating:
“Strangulation is a weapon—just as dangerous as a knife or a gun.”
Authorities hope the sentencing will send a strong message about the seriousness of domestic violence and the lasting impact it has on victims.
