N.Y. man pleads guilty to fatally stabbing wife in front of their son who tried to save her

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. (TCN) -- A 44-year-old man is expected to receive 22 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing his wife in front of their son.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, on Sept. 17, Ryszard Murawsk pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Wioleta Murawski. He has another court date set for Oct. 17.

On the evening of Jan. 3, the couple’s 15-year-old son reportedly called 911 and told Suffolk County Police that his father, Ryszard Murawsk, had stabbed his mother. Prosecutors said the teen was "distraught" during the call, and he "begged the police for help as he desperately tried to save his mother’s life."

The couple’s son told police he came home from a friend’s house when he heard his mother yelling for help. According to prosecutors, the teen told authorities he rushed to the backyard and saw his father stabbing his mother with a large serrated knife.

The son purportedly "jumped on his father and struggled with him until his mother was able to break free." The victim attempted to escape and made it across the street. Prosecutors said she then collapsed "with her son by her side." Wioleta Murawski was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital and pronounced deceased.

Prosecutors said the attack was captured on the family’s surveillance system.

Following the stabbing, the defendant fled in a GMC truck. Multiple police units pursued Ryszard Murawski for more than 7 miles because he failed to pull over. The defendant eventually crashed into the side of a building.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said, "This is a tragic case of domestic violence that ended with the senseless death of Wioleta Murawski and horrific trauma to their child. This defendant will now have to pay for his actions in prison."