Defendant: Michael Pettiford (DOB 02/26/01)
May 23, 2018 -- Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. today announced that Michael Pettiford of Yonkers has been sentenced to 18 years in state prison by Westchester County Court Judge Barry Warhit in the 2017 stabbing death of Daij Thomas at the Ridge Hill Movie Theater in Yonkers where the victim was employed.
Pettiford was sentenced to 18 years on one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, and 18 years on one count of Robbery in the First Degree, also a class B felony. The sentences are to run concurrently (at the same time). Pettiford pleaded guilty to the charges Jan. 5, 2018.
With the victim’s mother at his side, ADA Jonathan Strongin read her statement to the court. In it, Sheila Hamilton characterized her son as a “young man who stood up to his responsibilities” as a son and a father. She described her son’s death as “a parent’s nightmare.” But she said, “To Michael Pettiford, all the pain you put us through, I am forgiving you.” Another statement was made by the mother of Thomas’ three-year-old son who said the boy is asking for his father. She also added, “I forgive you, Michael.”
Background
On April 15, 2017, at approximately 12:44 a.m., Pettiford approached the victim seated in the lobby of the Showcase Cinema de Lux Ridge Hill in Yonkers. He began to question and taunt the victim and then challenged him to a fight.
Daij Thomas declined to fight. Pettiford then grabbed the victim’s cellphone from his hand. The victim then chased after Pettiford in an attempt to get his phone back. A struggle ensued during which time Thomas was stabbed once in the chest.
Pettiford placed the victim’s phone in his pocket and exited the movie theater. Thomas collapsed to the floor indicating that he could not breathe. EMTs arrived on the scene and made efforts to save his life. Thomas was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Two knives were recovered at the scene.
On April 18, 2017, Yonkers detectives arrested Pettiford for the stabbing death.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Strongin and Kerrie Williams of the Superior Court Trial Division.
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In compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.6, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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