NEW ROCHELLE, NY (August 26, 2024) — Robert Wooten, the suspect in the Saturday homicide at One Clinton Park, appeared today in New Rochelle City Court before Judge Jared R. Rice.
He was arraigned on charges of Criminal Possession of a Weapon — 2 (Loaded Firearm), a C Felony and Murder — 1 (Intentional), an A Felony.
Wooten appeared in court in a blue hospital gown, no pants, socks, or shoes.
He has no strong ties to New Rochelle, a prior probation, revocation, and two prior failures to appear. He was remanded without bail to Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, NY.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office intends to enter into evidence statements Wooten made to members of the New Rochelle Police Department.
On August 24 at 8:00 pm at 149th Street and 97th Avenue Queens, NY:
The defendant stated, in sum and substance, that he should have turned himself in; if he could take it all back, he would; he’s on probation; he dated the victim for 3-4 years; he didn’t want it to be like this; he has been contemplating turning himself in all day; he just wants to know if the victim is alright; he’s not going to see the daylight for a long time; he wanted to know whether the victim was alive or not; they are not even supposed to be around each other; this is not the first time they got into a knife situation; he made a mistake; he thinks he panicked; he should have stayed at the scene.
Later that night, back at New Rochelle Police Headquarters at 475 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY, in an Interview that began on August 24 at 11:00 pm but extended into August 25, Wooten expanded on his initial statement:
The defendant stated, in sum and substance, that Meisha lives in New Rochelle; he wasn’t really staying there; he didn’t want it to be like this; he has self-control; it was a mistake; he got into a verbal and then physical altercation with the victim; he was trying to hold the victim so she didn’t leave; they were fighting before he lost control; everything happened so fast; he was leaving; his shit was packed; it wasn’t his gun; he didn’t just boom; he squeezed the trigger three times; he doesn’t know how many times he hit her; it was a mistake; he was panicking; he got rid of the gun. “I murdered, her?” (When told that the victim was deceased). “No.” (When asked did he mean to murder her).
At 1:47 AM at the New Rochelle Police Department Booking Desk he made another statement:
The defendant stated, in sum and substance, that I think I killed my only support system.
Wooten is due back in New Rochelle City Court for a Felony Hearing on August 30.
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