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.
Elmsford Police Statement
On 11/02/2025 at approximately 4:30pm the Elmsford Police Department responded to the Days Inn Motel located at 25 Valley Ave for a report of a deceased female located inside one of the rooms. Elmsford Police arrived on location and secured the scene for a homicide investigation. The deceased victim was identified to be a Rose Philippe (32 years old).
Video surveillance showed a male fleeing the scene in a vehicle along with a young child shortly before the police arrived. The Elmsford Police Department with the assistance of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Westchester County Police Department and Real Time Crime Center were able to quickly identify the suspect to be Justin Bartley (32 years old).
The Elmsford Police Department in cooperation with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, WCPD RTC and NYPD were able to locate the vehicle in the Bronx NY at approximately 6:15pm. FBI Safe Streets Task Force was able to locate the child safely and apprehend Bartley. Bartley and the child were brought back to Elmsford Police Headquarters without further incident.
Det. Sgt. Paul Rescigno and Det. Jonathan Castillo processed Bartley who was charged with PL 125.25(1) Murder 2nd. Bartley was arraigned on 11/03/2025 and remanded to the Westchester County Department of Corrections.
The Elmsford Police Department thanks all agencies including the Westchester County District Attorneys Office who assisted and we give our deepest condolences to the family of Rose Philippe. No further information will be released as the case is ongoing.
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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.