Westchester Man Accused Of Killing Romantic Rival At Party

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Mount Vernon man who police say shot and killed a rival for a woman's affections has been indicted on multiple charges, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced.

Robert Campbell, 40, was arraigned Tuesday for the murder of Diesel Mercedes in July 2018. Westchester County Court Judge Anne Minihan set bail at $250,000/bond.

The Westchester County Grand Jury brought four charges:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A violent felony
• Assault in the First Degree, a class B violent felony
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class D felony
• Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a class D felony

His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 19.

Prosecutors said Campbell and his victim, Diesel Mercedes, both attended an afternoon outdoor party July 1 on South Ninth Avenue in Mount Vernon. The indictment alleges Campbell shot Mercedes twice in the head with a .380 caliber pistol as he was seated in a nearby car.

Mercedes’ 2-year-old daughter was in the backseat. He went into a coma and survived until his death Oct. 25, 2018.

The incident stemmed from their relationship with the same woman, prosecutors alleged.

PHOTO: Robert Campbell/ Westchester DA's Office

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