Manhattan Jury Acquits in Tragic TriBeCa Stabbing Case

In a stunning legal decision that has stirred emotions across the tri-state area, a Manhattan jury acquitted 21-year-old Gianluca Bordone of all charges related to the fatal stabbing of Rocco Rodden, a 17-year-old New Jersey high school football player. The incident, which occurred outside the Live Axe nightclub in TriBeCa the night before Thanksgiving 2023, resulted in a three-week trial that examined the chaotic events of that early morning confrontation. Despite Bordone admitting on the witness stand that he had stabbed Rodden in the heart during the altercation, the jury determined after just four hours of deliberation that he had acted in self-defense. The verdict has brought a complex conclusion to a case that has deeply affected multiple families and highlighted the devastating consequences when late-night celebrations turn violent.

The trial painted a picture of a holiday reunion gone tragically wrong. Rodden, just a high school junior, had joined his 21-year-old brother Anthony and other friends and family members in Manhattan to celebrate a college reunion. What was meant to be a festive gathering before Thanksgiving became a nightmare when a confrontation erupted outside the downtown ax-throwing establishment around 1:30 in the morning. According to testimony presented at trial, both groups had been drinking heavily when the altercation began. Manhattan prosecutors described in graphic detail how Bordone “inflicted the fatal blow, a fatal wound in the center of his chest that ripped through his rib cage and cut open his heart.” The case required jurors to determine whether this act constituted criminal manslaughter or justified self-defense in the chaos of the moment.

Defense attorney Anthony Ricco built his case around video evidence of the brawl, arguing that Bordone’s actions were justified as Rodden’s group chased his client down the block and began “beating the crap out of him.” Taking the stand in his own defense—always a risky strategy in criminal trials—Bordone testified about his fear during the confrontation, telling jurors, “I was afraid that they would get me to the floor, stomp me, kill me, hit me with the bottle that I had seen before.” This testimony proved pivotal as the jury ultimately accepted his claim of self-defense. The trial featured emotional accounts from multiple perspectives, including testimony from Rodden’s family members. Anthony Rodden, who was also slashed during the altercation, provided particularly powerful testimony about the events leading up to his brother’s death and the horrific aftermath.

The courtroom witnessed raw emotion throughout the proceedings, particularly when police bodycam footage was played showing a bloodied and shirtless Anthony Rodden desperately searching for his brother in the aftermath of the stabbing. The video captured him screaming “Where’s my brother! Where’s my f–king brother!” as emergency medical personnel attempted to treat his own wounds. Such evidence underscored the human tragedy at the heart of the legal case—young lives forever altered by split-second decisions made during a violent confrontation. The jury’s quick deliberation—reaching a verdict in just four hours after three weeks of testimony—surprised many observers given the complexity and emotional nature of the case. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Laura Ward received the not-guilty verdict on charges of manslaughter and assault that could have resulted in up to 25 years imprisonment for Bordone.

The acquittal represents a dramatic conclusion for Bordone, a Roslyn High School graduate and Oyster Bay event promoter whose life hung in the balance during the trial. His successful self-defense claim saved him from potentially spending much of his twenties and thirties behind bars. While his attorney did not immediately comment following the verdict, the outcome undoubtedly brings relief to Bordone and his family. However, the case leaves the Rodden family continuing to grapple with the permanent absence of their son and brother, whose promising future as a high school athlete was cut short. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office released a statement following the verdict, saying: “We thank the members of the jury for their service and respect their verdict. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Rodden family, who continue to mourn a devastating loss.”

This case illustrates the tragic consequences that can result from late-night confrontations fueled by alcohol and heightened emotions. What began as celebration ended with one young man dead, another facing serious criminal charges, and families on both sides forever changed. The jury’s decision reflects the challenging legal questions surrounding self-defense claims—when does legitimate fear for one’s safety justify lethal force, and how do we evaluate those split-second decisions made in the heat of conflict? While the criminal justice process has reached its conclusion, the human impact continues. Rocco Rodden will never return to his high school football field, never graduate, never grow into the adult he might have become. His family must now navigate life without him, carrying the weight of this loss alongside the knowledge that the legal system determined his death did not constitute a crime. Meanwhile, Gianluca Bordone walks free but must live with the knowledge that his actions, even if legally justified, resulted in the death of a teenager. The verdict closes a legal chapter, but the human story—with all its complexity, tragedy, and lasting consequences—continues long after the courtroom doors have closed.