QUEENS VILLAGE — The elderly man who allegedly stabbed his wife to death in their 93rd Avenue home has been arraigned on murder charges, the Queens District Attorney said Friday.
Mustafa Kazmi, 68, repeatedly plunged a knife into Shahida Kazmi's chest in their home at 222-18 93rd Avenue on May 29, authorities charged.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Her body was found in the home's bathroom, prosecutors said.
Kazmi allegedly tried to clean up the crime scene by using a mop, which authorities discovered outside the bathroom door, and two pails. Cops found rags and the floor was streaked with blood in a room, authorities said.
"The defendant is accused of brutally stabbing to death his wife — a woman whom he was supposed to love and cherish," said District Attorney Richard Brown in a statement. "If convicted, her senseless death merits serious punishment."
Kazmi was arraigned Thursday night before Queens Criminal Court Judge Mary O'Donoghue. He was charged with second-degree murder, attempted tampering with physical evidence and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
He is due back in court June 13.
