Yonkers Man Sentenced In 2016 Stabbing Death

YONKERS, NY — A Yonkers man was sentenced Wednesday for stabbing another man in the heart. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr., announced that Joseph Graham, 37, Nepperhan Avenue in Yonkers, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty before Judge Barry Warhit in the stabbing death of Clarence Vanhook.

Graham was charged with:

• First-degree manslaughter, a class “B” Violent Felony,
• Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class “D” Felony

Scarpino said, on Sept. 12, 2016, at approximately 4:07 p.m., the defendant and the victim were both in the vicinity of 5 South Broadway in Yonkers. At that time, after the two men had gotten into a physical confrontation, the defendant stabbed Vanhook in the chest with a large knife, striking him in the heart.

Vanhook was rushed to St. Joseph’s Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Shortly thereafter, Graham, who matched the description given by witnesses, was observed by members of the Yonkers Police Department walking northbound on North Broadway.

After a subsequent police investigation, Graham was placed into custody.

After today’s sentencing, Graham was remanded into the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections.

Photo caption: Joseph Graham. Photo credit: Westchester District Attorney's Office.