Marla Hanson is a former New York model who, at 24, had her face slashed with a razor on June 5, 1986, in an attack arranged by her former landlord, Steven Roth. All three men involved were convicted of first-degree assault and given the maximum prison term of five to 15 years, and a civil jury later awarded her more than $78 million. The case became one of the most closely watched New York crime stories of the late 1980s and pushed Hanson into a second career as a victims’ rights advocate.
The 1986 Attack
Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1986, Hanson was walking with Roth, a 28-year-old makeup artist who had rented her an apartment, when two men grabbed her and held her down. They cut her face 15 times with a razor blade. Roth, according to Hanson’s later testimony, “just stood there not helping me.”1Los Angeles Times. Model Gives Account of Night She Was Slashed
At St. Vincent’s Hospital, doctors closed her wounds with 150 stitches. A surgeon found that the muscle controlling her smile had been severed and told her the scarring would be permanent.2Deseret News. Following the Nightmare A New York Times reporter later described a long S-shaped gash running from her right cheek to the corner of her mouth.3New York Times. Model Gives Grim Account of Night She Was Slashed
Why It Happened
Investigators concluded that Roth arranged the attack out of anger over Hanson’s rejection of his sexual advances and a dispute over an $850 security deposit on the apartment she had rented from him. Prosecutors described a pattern of escalating hostility during the two months before the slashing.4New York Times. Rejection Called Motive in Attack on City Model The two men Roth hired were Steven Bowman, 27, and Darren Norman, 20.5UPI. Judge Sentences Landlord in Slashing, Scolds Victim
Three Convictions, Maximum Sentences
Roth was tried first in New York State Supreme Court. On the advice of an assistant district attorney, Hanson testified without makeup so the jury could see her scars. Roth’s defense claimed Bowman was his “former homosexual lover” who had attacked Hanson out of jealousy, an account the jury rejected. He was convicted of first-degree assault on December 20, 1986. On May 11, 1987, Justice Jeffrey Atlas sentenced him to five to 15 years and imposed a $5,000 fine, calling Roth “unbelievably Machiavellian.”5UPI. Judge Sentences Landlord in Slashing, Scolds Victim
Bowman and Norman were tried together before a jury of six men and six women. Hanson testified for a third time, breaking down as she described the attack and showed her scars to jurors.6UPI. Disfigured Model Marla Hanson Broke Down in Court Both were convicted of first-degree assault on May 6, 1987. On July 29, 1987, Justice Atlas gave each of them the maximum five to 15 years. Both maintained their innocence.7Washington Post. Model’s Slashers Get Maximum
Controversies Inside the Courtroom
The Defense’s Race Argument
Bowman’s lawyer, Alton Maddox, told jurors during opening statements that Hanson was “a girl out of Texas who has a lot of racial hangups, racial stereotypes,” and argued the sight of two Black men had caused her to “go absolutely nuts.” He called the prosecution a “racially motivated frameup.” Hanson’s lawyer, Michael Shannon, accused Maddox of using the case to inflame racism.8UPI. Lawyer Accuses Model of Racial Hangups The jury, which included five Black members, convicted both defendants.
The Judge’s Outburst and Apology
After Roth’s conviction, Hanson and Shannon publicly criticized the cross-examination she had endured, during which defense questions about her personal life went largely unopposed by the prosecutor. At Roth’s sentencing, Justice Atlas turned on them, shouting, “Don’t make a mockery of this courtroom” and “I am incensed, sir, about the way you and your client have treated this court.” Hanson left in tears.9UPI. Koch Outraged by Judge’s Comments
Mayor Ed Koch said he was “outraged” and that “not only was his courtroom out of order, but so were his words.” Atlas received more than a dozen angry letters and voluntarily met with an administrative judge about his conduct.9UPI. Koch Outraged by Judge’s Comments Three days later, on May 14, 1987, after a 90-minute meeting in chambers with Hanson and Shannon, Atlas issued a public apology: “I would like publicly, simply and unequivocally to apologize to Miss Hanson and her lawyer, Michael Shannon, for any pain they were caused by my remarks.” Hanson accepted, telling reporters, “I think he’s a good judge. I think there’s been enough pain and enough suffering.”10Orlando Sentinel. Judge Hands Down an Apology to Hanson
The $78 Million Civil Verdict
Hanson also sued Roth, Bowman, and Norman in civil court. In January 1987, a judge froze the defendants’ assets pending trial.11Los Angeles Times. Marla Hanson Files Civil Suit On September 28, 1987, a jury awarded her more than $78 million, described at the time as a record figure. Shannon acknowledged the award was “mostly symbolic” because all three men were imprisoned and, in his word, “broke.”12Sun-Sentinel. Model Awarded $78 Million Hanson later said she had pursued the civil case in part to “tell my story my way.”13Los Angeles Times. Marla Hanson Interview
Life After the Attack
The assault effectively ended the modeling career Hanson had built. She said in late 1987 that employers were “apprehensive about the scar” and worried publicity from the trials might “take away from the clothing.”13Los Angeles Times. Marla Hanson Interview She began using Dermablend corrective cosmetics and in September 1987 became a national spokesperson for the brand, a role that later included work with patients in burn centers.2Deseret News. Following the Nightmare
She also became a public advocate for crime victims. She contacted the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, met with officials in Washington, and worked with the Victims Service Agency to push for what she called a “powerful victim’s bill of rights.” She spoke on college campuses and appeared on television discussing issues including tenant-landlord relationships. In a 1988 interview she said her experience across three trials had convinced her the courts left behind “a huge trail of victims.” “I have been made an advocate for life,” she said.2Deseret News. Following the Nightmare