A 37-year-old New York man will spend the next 25 years in prison after being convicted of pushing his mother out of their third-story apartment window during an argument over money. George Tsintzelis was sentenced by a justice of the Queens County Supreme Court to 25 years behind bars followed by five years of post-release supervision, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
A jury found Tsintzelis guilty in December of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, and aggravated criminal contempt stemming from the November 15, 2024 attack inside their Astoria apartment.
Violent Argument Ends in Three-Story Fall
Prosecutors said Tsintzelis and his 64-year-old mother began arguing over money around 9:10 p.m. at their Marine Terrace residence in Astoria. During the dispute, he allegedly beat her with a cane before grabbing two kitchen knives and threatening her. Authorities said he held the knives against her body, forced her onto a window ledge, and pushed her out of the third-floor apartment.
Neighbors witnessed the woman fall and immediately called 911. She was rushed to a hospital suffering from multiple broken bones, internal bleeding, and severe lacerations, including injuries to her tongue and intestines. She underwent multiple surgeries and was intubated. More than a year later, she is still recovering from the life-threatening injuries.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the victim’s survival as “miraculous” and praised her for bravely testifying against her son at trial.
Trial Testimony and Aftermath
During the trial, Tsintzelis denied responsibility and claimed his mother caused her own fall. Prosecutors argued that after pushing her from the window, he called 911 and pretended not to know what had happened. Assistant District Attorney Christina Mavrikis told jurors that Tsintzelis left his mother on the ground after the fall, emphasizing the severity of the act.
The victim reportedly told the court that while she believes her son needs help and previously allowed him to live with her, she also fears what he might do if released. The sentencing brings a measure of closure to a case that prosecutors described as an unthinkable act of violence within a family.
