Man sentenced to prison for stabbing woman on subway

WASHINGTON — A Washington, DC man was sentenced to seven years in prison for attacking a woman aboard a subway train in September last year.

Michael Harrington, 43, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to kill in March for the near-fatal stabbing. Authorities say that based on his history of substance abuse and mental health issues, Harrington was allowed to enter a plea to Alford, meaning he maintains his innocence but admits he would most likely be convicted if the matter were brought to court. Therefore, he was not obligated to admit or remember what happened.

In addition to his prison sentence, Harrington is ordered to serve three years of probation after his release and to pay $100 to the Superior Court's Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

Authorities say on September 3, 2023, Harrington attacked a woman aboard a subway train. The woman was near Navy Station Yard-Ball Park when Harrington approached her, stabbed her multiple times with a knife and told her he would kill her. Harrington left the bleeding woman on the train.

Officers arrived at the station and took the woman to an area hospital for help.

In total, the woman was stabbed 12 times in the head, hip, foot, hands and leg, but survived the attack.

Officers arrested Harrington later that evening after pulling a fire alarm at an apartment building in Arlington, Virginia. He was seen waving a knife covered in dried blood. When police arrived, he admitted to being involved in a fight on the subway earlier in the night.

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