111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
White Plains, NY 10601
Tel: (914) 995-3586
Fax: (914) 995-2116

 

April 7, 2016 -- Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty announced that Edwin Palestina (DOB 11/21/91) of Yonkers, NY was sentenced today to twenty-five years in state prison on the following charges:

  • one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class "B" Felony and
  • one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a class "B" Felony

relating to the shooting death of Rodney Saunders.

On May 1, 2014 at approximately 2 a.m. the 23-year-old victim was walking on Woodsworth Avenue near Gold Street in Yonkers when two men got out of a minivan and opened fire in an ambush.

Saunders attempted to enter his house, but he was struck six times by bullets. The fatal shot struck him in the chest, traveling through his heart and lungs.

A witness looking out of his window was also fired upon. The bullet hit a window guard, grazing his shoulder.

The two shooters ran to the waiting minivan and fled the area.

An intensive investigation led to information identifying Edwin Palestina as one of the two shooters.

On June 16, 2015 Palestina was arrested by Yonkers Detectives and the F.B.I. in Houston, Texas.

The defendant was remanded to the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections.

Assistant District Attorney Julia Cornachio and Assistant District Attorney John O'Rourke of the Superior Court Trial Division prosecuted the case.

 

Edwin Palestina

Edwin Palestina

 

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.