Mount Vernon Man Sentenced In Yonkers Stabbing

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Donte S. Pace of Mount Vernon was sentenced by Judge Barry Warhit to 14 years in state prison for the death of James D. Puryear. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class “B” Violent Felony, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced Wednesday.

It was almost a year ago, at 4:45 p.m. Oct. 18, 2016, that Puryear was walking eastbound on Elm Street in Yonkers. He was unarmed. Pace approached and stabbed Puryear once in the chest in front of 179 Elm Street. Puryear ran away across the street where he collapsed. (For more local stories, sign up for Patch’s daily newsletter, news alerts and updates.)

A good Samaritan called 911. Puryear was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An examination by the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Puryear died from a stab wound which resulted in damage to the heart along with internal bleeding.

An intensive investigation by the Yonkers Police Department resulted in the 22-year-old's arrest 10 days later.

After today’s proceeding, Pace was remanded into the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas DiCostanzo of the Superior
Court Trial Division.

PHOTO/ Westchester District Attorney's Office

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