Indictment for Mount Vernon Man Accused of Throttling Girlfriend

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Jason Myers of 110 West Kingsbridge Road in Mount Vernon was arraigned Tuesday on an indictment in the death of Ashley McDuffie.

He was charged with:

• one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class “A” Felony,
• one count of Strangulation in the First Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• one count of Concealment of a Human Corpse, a class “E” Felony

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On Aug. 23, 2016, the Mount Vernon Police Department was contacted by a family member of the victim to say that she was missing, Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty said in an announcement about the indictment.

Three days later, on Aug. 26, police say Myers came to Mount Vernon Police headquarters and confessed to killing the victim and dumping her body in the area of 233 rd Street and Monticello Avenue near Seton Falls Park in the Bronx.

Members of the New York City Police Department recovered the body, which was wrapped in plastic bags and a comforter that had been taken from the victim’s home. The body had been dumped over a guardrail and down a hill.

An autopsy conducted by the New York City Medical Examiner concluded that the cause of death was asphyxia due to compression of the neck.

Asphyxia produced by compression of the neck by human hands is called throttling.

The defendant pleaded not guilty. He continues to be held in jail. His next court date is Nov. 1. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Kerrie Williams and Assistant District Attorney Laura Murphy of the Superior Court Trial Division are prosecuting the case.