MOUNT VERNON, NY — A 22-year-old who walked up to a man on the street and stabbed him pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Friday. Donte S. Pace appeared before Judge Barry Warhit, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced Monday.
At about 4:45 p.m. Oct. 18, 2016, James D. Puryear was walking eastbound on Elm Street between Oak Street and Walnut Street. Pace approached and stabbed him once in the chest.
Puryear, who was unarmed, ran away from Pace and across the street where he collapsed. A good Samaritan called 911. Police and EMTs responded to the scene. Puryear was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
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An examination by the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that the victim died from a stab wound to the chest which resulted in damage to the heart along with internal bleeding.
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An intensive investigation by the Yonkers Police Department resulted in Pace's arrest 10 days later on October 28, 2016.
Pace pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class “B” Violent Felony. He will be sentenced on Oct. 4, 2017. He faces up to 25 years in state prison.
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