NEW YORK (AP) — In a stunning twist at a Queens courtroom, Stephen Giraldo shocked onlookers by forgiving his estranged wife during his sentencing hearing. Giraldo, a father of three, had mowed down Sophia Giraldo with his car before stabbing her in front of their children on December 27. Despite her absence due to severe neurological damage caused by the attack, Giraldo addressed Sophia in court, saying, “I forgive you for not respecting me as your pre-designational husband, I forgive you for not honoring me as a good and loving father.”

The courtroom was filled with outrage from Sophia’s family, with her father, Pastor John Brooks, expressing his appallment at Giraldo’s remarks. Giraldo, a former MTA bus driver, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted murder. The attack occurred just two days after Christmas last year and shocked the nation.

Footage of the incident, which was captured by surveillance cameras, showed Giraldo waiting outside Sophia’s home with his headlights on before accelerating into her. He then crashed into the side of the property and proceeded to stab her three times with a knife. Despite surviving, Sophia suffered severe neurological damage, broken bones in her leg, and a stab wound that punctured her liver.

Prior to the attack, Sophia ran a podcast called “Unfiltered and Free” where she discussed her toxic marriage and filed for divorce in August. Some speculate that her podcast may have been a motive for the horrific assault. Giraldo was barred from contacting Sophia and their children and took the opportunity during his sentencing to ask for forgiveness and make book recommendations, which were dismissed by the judge.

District Attorney Katz referred to the crime as one of the most brutal cases they have prosecuted, and hopes that the lengthy prison sentence brings some measure of justice to the victim and her loved ones.