NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced that
Jonitha Alston (DOB 10/11/86) of 138 Winthrop Avenue, New Rochelle, New York was arraigned on an indictment today before Judge Barbara Zambelli and charged with:
•one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class “A-1” Felony,
•one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
•one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” Misdemeanor
in the death of Dennis Graham (DOB 05/07/56).
On December 29, 2016 at approximately 6:37 p.m., the defendant knocked on the door of a former neighbor’s home and used the neighbor’s phone to call 911.
Police officers arrived at that location to find the defendant with her 5 year old daughter. Both were taken to New Rochelle Police Headquarters. The defendant then told officers she was having an anxiety attack and needed medical attention. She was taken to a local hospital.
At about the same time the defendant was calling 911, New Rochelle Police received reports of a male with multiple stab wounds to the chest at 138 Winthrop Avenue. Emergency medical personnel arriving at the scene found the victim sitting in a chair on the curb with multiple stab wounds to the front of his torso. He was transported to Jacobi Medical Center where he died in the early morning hours on December 30, 2016.
An autopsy revealed that the victim had been stabbed 7 times.
A subsequent investigation by New Rochelle Police revealed that the defendant stabbed the victim inside the apartment they shared at 138 Winthrop Avenue. At the time of the incident, the defendant’s daughter was present.
The defendant pled not guilty.
She remains remanded.
Alston faces twenty five years to life in state prison.
Her next court date is March 22, 2017.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Heide Mason of the Superior Court Trial Division.