Peekskill Man Found Guilty of Murdering Westchester Social Worker Maria Coto
November 5, 2025
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that a trial jury found Hasseem Jenkins guilty Wednesday afternoon of murdering Department of Social Services worker Maria Coto in 2024.
Specifically, the jury found Jenkins guilty of the following charges:
- Murder in the Second Degree (Felony Murder, class A-I felony)
- Manslaughter in the First Degree (class B felony)
- Robbery in the First Degree (class B felony)
- Burglary in the First Degree (class B felony)
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (class D felony)
Jenkins, 32, will be sentenced by Judge George Fufidio at a hearing on Dec. 11.
DA Cacace said: "First and foremost, I want to thank the jurors for exercising their civic duty with such care and consideration.
"Maria Coto’s life was cut short on May 14, 2024. As proved during a multi-week trial, Hasseem Jenkins beat her until the nerves in her brain stem were severed beyond repair, hurling repeated epithets as she lay dying on the floor.
"Maria devoted her brief time on Earth to helping others. She was a petite woman with an uncommonly generous spirit. She will live on in all the lives she touched along the way.
"I am grateful to the jury for holding the defendant responsible for killing Maria. My office will continue to support Maria’s family and all crime victims in Westchester County."
The case was prosecuted by Trial Division Chief Nadine Nagler and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Jones.
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