Man Arraigned In 9-Year-Old Taxi Murder

A taxi driver accused of killing a man who had called for a cab back in 2008 now faces trial in Westchester County. Damon Scott was arraigned Jan. 12 before Judge Anne Minihan and charged with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class “A” Felony.

The suspect, Damon Scott, fled to Georgia in an attempt to elude police, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said in announcing Scott's arraignment. He was apprehended in Alpharetta, Georgia on an unrelated matter at which time he gave the police multiple fake names. When the police in Georgia learned his actual identity, they notified the Yonkers Police Department. Scott waived extradition.

Scott, at the time of the murder, was a taxi cab driver for Yonkers Union Taxi and a Yonkers resident.

The shooting took place at 4:50 a.m. June 16, 2008. Jerome Hancock, 35, was waiting for a cab in front of Mexico Car Service at 206 S. Broadway in Yonkers. A dark colored Lincoln Town Car Taxi pulled up in front, and someone inside shot Hancock from the front passenger side window striking him in the left upper
chest and killing him. Witnesses at the scene called 911. The Yonkers Police Department began looking for Scott.

Scott pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and has been remanded without bail.

If convicted, Scott faces 25 years to life in state prison. His next court date is Jan. 25, 2018. Deputy Bureau Chief Lana Hochheiser of the Homicide Bureau and Bureau Chief Julia Cornachio of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting the case.

PHOTO/ Westchester DA's Office