Two months after authorities said a Department of Social Services caseworker tapped on the wrong apartment door and was stomped on in an unprovoked attack, and one month after she died from her injuries, the suspect appeared in a New York courtroom on Tuesday to face a murder indictment and several other criminal counts.
On May 14th, the City of Peekskill Police Department stated that an assault occurred in the afternoon at an apartment on South Street and that 56-year-old Maria Coto was discovered “unconscious” at the site, “having sustained serious head injuries.”
Hasseem Jenkins, 31, was also on the scene, according to investigators, and was taken into the Westchester County Jail, where he has been jailed since on attempted murder and assault charges. The guy was allegedly wearing “heavy boots” when he stepped on Coto.
On June 19th, officials released the devastating news that Coto, who was on life support at a hospital, “died as a result of the injuries she sustained during this assault,” including brain traumas and facial fractures. The victim had been on a ventilator.
According to Westchester County court records, Jenkins appeared in court on Tuesday morning, entered a not-guilty plea, and was held without bail in connection with the murder, burglary, robbery, and criminal possession of weapon charges. According to the record, Jenkins is charged with murder with purpose and murder while doing another felony.
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According to the Journal News, the burglary and firearm possession accusations stem from allegations that Jenkins assaulted Coto and then pursued her into a second apartment, stamping on her head while wearing “heavy boots,” even as she lay bleeding on the ground.
When authorities arrived, Jenkins allegedly shouted at the victim before falsely accusing her of attempting to knife him, according to the report. Coto, a member of the Civil Service Employees Association labor union, was recalled by coworkers and family for her dedication to her career; a niece told local ABC station WABC that she was on the verge of retiring at the time of the unprovoked attack.
According to News 12, Coto’s goddaughter Judy Yanes and her aunt Maria Gutierrez watched as the accused killer of their loved one appeared in court to face murder accusations.
“We will be here until he is imprisoned for the rest of his life,” Yanes reportedly stated. Gutierrez reportedly stated that she missed Coto “a lot,” and that she was “a great person with a big heart.”