Yonkers Man Arraigned In Movie Theater Fatal Stabbing

YONKERS, NY — The Yonkers man who was accused of fatally stabbing an employee of a movie theater in Ridge Hill was arraigned Monday in the death of Asante Thomas, 19. A grand jury voted Thursday to indict Michael Pettiford, 16, of Yonkers for allegedly killing Thomas. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said Pettiford was charged with the following:

• Second-degree murder, a felony
• First-degree manslaughter, a felony
• Two counts of first-degree robbery, felonies
• Two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, misdemeanors

Pettiford pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Scarpino said, on April 15, at approximately 12:44 a.m., Pettiford approached Thomas who was seated in the lobby of the Showcase Cinema de Lux Ridge Hill in Yonkers. Pettiford began to question Thomas and then challenged him to a fight.

Thomas declined the invitation to fight. That is when the defendant grabbed the victim’s cellphone out of his hand. The victim then chased after the defendant in an attempt to get his phone back. A struggle ensued during which time Thomas was stabbed once in the chest, allegedly by Pettiford.

The defendant 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 the victim’s life. He was transported to a local area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Two knives were recovered at the scene. On April 18, Yonkers detectives were able to locate Pettiford and he was placed under arrest at an apartment on Yonkers Avenue. A search warrant was obtained for that apartment and evidence was collected.

He continues to be held in jail.

Pettiford faces 25 years to life in state prison if convicted.

His next court date is July 12, 2017.

Photo caption: Michael Pettiford. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney's Office.