Westchester Man Sentenced in Connection with Home Invasion Robbery/Murder

Mount Vernon resident Keith Wilkinson, 32, was sentenced today to a total of 32 years to life in prison in connection with a 2009 robbery and murder on South 10th Avenue in the city, announced Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore.

Wilkinson was convicted in July of the following charges:

• two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, class “A-1” Felonies,
• one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a class “B” felony,
• one count of Burglary in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony.

The sentencing was 25 years to life on the murder charge, and seven years on the assault for a total of 32 years to life.

According to DiFiore, the attack occurred on January 27, 2009, at about 8:30 p.m. One of two unnamed roommates, the 54 year old surviving male victim, was throwing out the trash when two masked gunmen rushed him and pushed him into the house, knocking him down the stairs.

They duct-taped and tied him up with cords, and pistol-whipped him, while continually asking him where the “stuff” was.

“As this was going on, they heard the deceased arrive and shoved the first victim into a closet,” according to DiFiore. “Despite restraints, he was able to reach his cell phone and called 911 from inside the closet.”

He then heard a single gunshot and footsteps. He exited closet and found the deceased on floor with a single gunshot to the head.

Approximately one year later, according to DiFiore, the deceased’s girlfriend contacted the Mount Vernon police and informed them that the night of the shooting, Wilkinson had admitted to his role in the incident, stating that they had gone to that house to rob the “guy” and he shot him in the head.

Police then located a close friend of the two assailants who admitted that Wilkinson had shown up at his door the night of the incident, and he had helped Wilkinson dispose of clothing.

Wilkinson was questioned by police and subsequently arrested.

He was tried and convicted on January 31, 2011, but he appealed the trial verdict and on August 6, 2014, the Appellate Division Second Dept. reversed the conviction on an evidentiary ruling made by the trial judge and sent the case back for a new trial.

At his second trial, on July 10, 2015, he was again convicted.

In its announcement, the District Attorney’s office did not identify the victims, nor did it mention what happened to the second suspect.

Assistant District Attorney Nadine Nagler of the Superior Court Trial Division prosecuted the case.

Photo: Keith Wilkinson. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney’s office