Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said Kevin Cortes, of Union City, pleaded guilty to one count of first- degree aggravated manslaughter in relation to the death of Giselle Bravo, of Queens, N.Y., that occurred on March 26, 2018 in Union City.
During the virtual plea hearing, which was attended by family members of the victim, Cortes, 28, also pleaded guilty to a charge of fourth-degree aggravated assault against a Hudson County Corrections Officer that occurred on September 19, 2018 while in custody at the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny.
The State is recommending a sentence of 20 years in New Jersey state prison subject to the No Early Release Act for the aggravated manslaughter and up to 18 months on the aggravated assault.
Officials say on at approximately 5:25 a.m., on that day, the Union City Police Department received a report of a person stabbed at 3612 New York Avenue. Upon arrival, responding Union City.
Police Officers encountered Cortes with a knife inside the building.
Officials said the officers were able to secure the knife and detain the man. Cortes was subsequently transported to Palisades Medical Center for evaluation.
The officers then located a female victim, Giselle Bravo, 20, of Queens, NY, on the third floor of the residence with multiple wounds to her upper body.
Bravo was administered lifesaving aid at the scene and was then transported by Emergency Medical Services to the Jersey City Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at approximately 6:40 a.m.
On June 20, 2018, a Hudson County Grand Jury returned an Indictment against Cortes charging him with three counts related to the death of Giselle Bravo.
Sentencing in this case has been scheduled for September 2, 2020 before the Honorable Mark J. Nelson, J.S.C., who accepted the guilty plea.
The State is represented in this case by Assistant Prosecutor Leo He