Broome County District Attorney F. Paul Battisti announced that Paul D. Graham, 50, of Binghamton, was sentenced following his conviction at trial on December 1, 2025.
Graham was sentenced by Hon. Carol A. Cocchiola in Broome County Court to a determinate term of 12½ years in New York State Prison with 5 years of post-release supervision for Assault in the First Degree, and 2⅓ to 7 years in state prison for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on January 4, 2025, when officers with the Binghamton Police Department responded to 32 Mendelssohn Street in Binghamton for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from a puncture wound to his chest.
The investigation revealed that earlier that evening the Defendant, the victim, and the victim’s girlfriend had been drinking at local bars. An argument developed between Graham and the victim after the victim was denied entry into a bar. The three individuals later returned to the Defendant’s residence.
During the altercation that followed, the victim sustained a laceration to his chest approximately one inch in length. Medical personnel later determined the wound was consistent with a 5–8 inch bladed weapon. The victim was transported to United Health Services Wilson Medical Center, where a CT scan revealed that the weapon had cut the victim’s heart. The victim required emergency surgery and intubation in order to survive the life-threatening injury.
At sentencing, Judge Cocchiola emphasized the seriousness and intentional nature of the attack, stating, “this wasn’t a jab at him. This was a full force stab.” The Court further noted, “You went back into the house and got the knife. This was a very intentional act.”
After the defendant addressed the Court and claimed he was the victim in the situation, Judge Cocchiola responded, “that was you trying to deflect any responsibility. You did have the intent.” The Court also remarked, “it’s lucky the victim is still alive.”
Judge Cocchiola concluded by stating, “you feel that you’re the victim, and you actually said it. And now you have to live with the sentence I’m about to impose.” The Court also warned that the Defendant’s “inability to accept responsibility will interfere with [his] ability to reintegrate back into the community.”
“This was a violent and intentional act that nearly cost a man his life,” 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐅. 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢.“The victim survived a devastating stab wound that required emergency surgery to his heart. I commend the Binghamton Police Department and the prosecution team for their hard work in holding this Defendant accountable. Violent assaults like this have no place in our community, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime.”
Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexander Czebiniak prosecuted this case for the Broome County District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of District Attorney Investigator Thomas Brady. This case was investigated by the Binghamton Police Department.
