A man suffering from dementia pushed his 64-year-old mother out of a third-story window in Queens, and during his court appearance, he expressed sorrow but also tried to deflect blame onto her, which didn’t sway the court.
George Tsintselis, 37, received a sentence of up to 25 years for this shocking 2024 incident, even as he claimed his mother was the one with mental health problems.
“She did that to herself,” he asserted in Queens Supreme Court. “It’s not fair for me to lose my freedom because of someone who has mental health issues,” he added, seemingly without a hint of remorse.
“Judge, that’s not fair,” Tsintselis complained to Justice Peter Vallone. “The prosecutor has a false narrative. My previous crimes shouldn’t matter here.”
A jury found him guilty of attempted murder after he violently attacked his mother on November 15, 2024, reportedly because she refused to finance his drug habits.
Paraskevi Tsintselis, who somehow survived the fall to testify against her son, was not present at the sentencing. She chose not to face him again after the ordeal.
“He got what he deserved,” said Argillo, the sister of Tsintselis. “I just don’t want him back on the streets. I feel safer knowing he’s locked up. He should not be around anyone. He’s thrown his life away.”
“He only thinks about himself,” she remarked, highlighting the son’s lack of empathy.
Prosecutors described George Tsintselis as a predator who had threatened his mother repeatedly and had a history of abusing and robbing her to fund his addiction.
On the fateful day, he allegedly held a knife to her throat, dragged her to the window, and pushed her out before trying to act innocent by downplaying the situation.
“He left her there, potentially to die,” noted Assistant District Attorney Christina Mavrikis. “Even after calling 911, he pretended he wasn’t involved.”
Mavrikis added that even post-arrest, he attempted to manipulate his mother, urging her not to testify against him, which violated a protective order.
“She’s haunted by that night,” Mavrikis recounted. “She can’t even sleep in her own bed since leaving the hospital. She wanted to help him, but her fear of him has taken over.”
Argiro Tsintselis mentioned that their mother was at the doctor’s office on the day of her brother’s sentencing and needed further surgery for her injuries.
“It’s my eighth surgery, and I’m looking at more in the future,” she said.
During the proceedings, the judge became impatient with Tsintselis’ excuses and cut him off.
“It’s done,” Vallone stated. “You sought mercy today, but what I provide is justice. Today’s sentence reflects what you did to your mother—25 years.”
“She has always given you safety, and how did you repay her? With a lifetime of abuse and eventually, trying to kill her,” the judge added firmly.
Queens Prosecutor Melinda Katz later characterized the incident as “an unthinkable act of violence,” hoping that the verdict might aid Tsintselis’ mother in her healing process.
