WHITE PLAINS, NY (December 5, 2025) — A Port Chester man with a prior felony conviction has been indicted on murder charges for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend in an Elmsford hotel room while their 2-year-old son was present, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced Friday.
Justin Bartley, 32, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Westchester County Court to one count of second-degree murder, a class A felony, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
Judge Maurice Dean Williams ordered Bartley held without bail at Westchester County Jail and issued temporary orders of protection for the victim’s family. Bartley is scheduled to return to court March 6.
Authorities allege Bartley murdered 32-year-old Rose Berline Philippe on Nov. 2, 2025, at the Days Inn by Wyndham in Elmsford.
“My heart aches for Ms. Philippe’s family, who have lost the companionship of their beloved daughter, sister and friend,” Cacace said in a statement. “Ms. Philippe was also a new mother and had so much left of her life to share with her young son. I am committed to doing justice by Ms. Philippe and her family. My office will not spare any effort to hold the defendant fully accountable for his alleged conduct.”
Court records show Bartley had a prior felony conviction at the time of the alleged murder. In 2022, he pleaded guilty in Rockland County Court to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class D felony, and driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor. He was sentenced to five years’ probation.
The investigation was handled by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Elmsford Police Department, Westchester County Department of Public Safety and investigators from the District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant District Attorneys Brian Bendish and Marissa Morra-Wynn are prosecuting the case.
RELATED
Port Chester HS Sweethearts: Man on Probation Charged With Beating Ex to Death in Elmsford Motel
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
Discover more from Talk of the Sound
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.