The brute who sucker-punched “Boardwalk Empire” star Steve Buscemi in Manhattan final yr mumbled a head-scratching apology Thursday — as he was sentenced to 6 months in jail.
Clifton Williams, 51, stated he was “sorry” for assaulting Buscemi, 67, who was taking a stroll by way of Kips Bay when he walked as much as the Hollywood icon and slugged him within the face on Could 8, 2024.
“I only maintain the fact that there was an incident brought before me between myself and Mr. Buscemi on that date, and I’m sorry,” Williams stated, carrying a tan jail jumpsuit as he confronted Manhattan Supreme Courtroom Decide Melissa Lewis.
Williams, who was homeless on the time, pleaded responsible to assault expenses on March 12 and was additionally sentenced to 5 years probation and two orders of safety — one in opposition to Buscemi and one other particular person he slugged the identical day.
Prosecutors have stated that Williams was strolling on the sidewalk close to East fifteenth Avenue and Third Avenue when he struck a 22-year-old man with a closed fist in an unprovoked assault at 11:30 a.m.
9 minutes later, Williams then walked as much as Buscemi and randomly clocked him within the face, inflicting Buscemi to fall to the bottom, in accordance with authorities. Williams then fled from the scene.
Williams was arrested greater than every week after the assault after an eagle-eyed officer acknowledged him at a homeless providers constructing in Chelsea, the place the attacker was complaining about having property swiped.
Buscemi, identified for roles in “Fargo” and “Billy Madison,” was noticed days later with a black eye and a swollen cheek whereas taking pictures a business in Soho.
Williams claimed that he mistook Buscemi for another person he had identified and that the actor had instructed him that he was going to “kick my ass” earlier than the savage assault, court docket paperwork present.
Buscemi, who made a cameo look in Apple’s new present “The Studio,” was not in court docket for his attacker’s sentencing.
A publicist for Buscemi didn’t instantly reply to an inquiry from The Publish.
