PORT CHESTER MAN ARRAIGNED ON INDICTMENT FOR MURDER

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Julio Cortez (DOB 09/05/58) of 66 Poningo Street, Port Chester, New York, was arraigned today on a three count indictment charging him with:

· one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class “A-1” Violent Felony,

· one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class “B” Violent Felony,

· one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor,

relating to a fatal stabbing.

On February 7, 2012 at approximately 3:55 am, the Port Chester Police Department received a 9-1-1 call and responded to the area of 125 and 131 Poningo Street.

When the patrol officer arrived, he discovered the body of 23 year old Carlos Guirachocha, lying face down on the steps to the entrance of 131 Poningo Street.

When the officer turned the man over, he observed blood and a stab wound in the area of the heart.

Emergency medical personnel were contacted and the victim was later pronounced dead.

An investigation began during which police located a large kitchen knife nearby and recovered surveillance video from the two buildings.

Detectives discovered that the two men had argued prior to the stabbing.

The defendant was arrested on February 15, 2012 and continues to be remanded.

The next court date is May 8, 2012.

The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Kristina Dushaj of the Major Case Bureau is prosecuting the case.

Julio Cortez

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.