Defendant: Jose Olmos (DOB 10/20/89)

July 11, 2019 -- Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced Jose Olmos of New Rochelle was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of a homeless woman in New Rochelle whose body was found near the Main Street armory last year. Supreme Court Judge Barry Warhit presided.

Olmos pleaded guilty May 23, 2019, to Murder in the Second Degree, a class A violent felony, to the brutal murder of 66-year-old Nurten Seljuk.

In court, the victim’s two sisters told the story of Seljuk’s life and the impact her death has had on them. They described a well-educated woman who through illness and divorce fell on hard times even as the family tried to help. Dervishe C. Bolvadin told the court, “I can’t stand the idea of her being remembered as a homeless lady left in the garbage,” and added, “She was a treasure, an unappreciated treasure. She deserved the best that life had to offer. Not this.”

Assistant District Attorney Christine O’Connor read a statement from their other sister, Fay Mirillo. She read, “Good forgive Jose Olmos for taking her life because I certainly cannot.”  She added, “I will remember Nurten for being both a sister and mom to me during my childhood…and I will try to fill the hole in my heart by nourishing the love we had for each other.”

Background
On Friday, July 27, 2018, in the early morning hours, Olmos stalked the victim, Nurten Seljuk, as she pulled a piece of luggage in the area of Main Street, New Rochelle, to the abandoned naval armory building. Police were able to trace his steps by reviewing surveillance videos.

Sometime between approximately 3:30-4:30 a.m., Olmos murdered Nurten Seljuk in the vicinity of 270 Main St. She died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries and asphyxiation. Her body was found early Friday morning in the driveway of the armory grounds. New Rochelle police arrested Olmos Saturday, July 28, 2018. Neither the victim nor Olmos had a permanent address.

Assistant District Attorneys Nicholas DiCostanzo and Christine O’Connor, Deputy Division Chief of the Superior Court Trial Division, prosecuted the case.

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Jose Olmos in county courtroom

 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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