Friend Sentenced In Steak Knife Stabbing

Westchester County resident Byron Stinson was sentenced on Monday for the 2019 stabbing death of a friend.

Stinson, 39, was given an indeterminate sentence of 7.5 years to 15 years in state prison, Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced Friday.

Stinson was found guilty Aug. 16 of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, both felonies, following a three-week jury trial. SEE: Jury Votes To Convict Yonkers Man In Fatal Stabbing

“The loss of a child is utterly unbearable,” Iris Federico, the victim’s mother, said. “Whatever sentence in prison you receive will not compare to the life sentence you gave to me and my grandson.”

At 4:30 a.m. April 24, 2019, Stinson and fellow Yonkers resident Michael Federico were sitting in a parked car on Whetstone Avenue in Yonkers using narcotics, the DA said.

They had been together at Easter dinner just a few days before. SEE: Yonkers Man Arraigned In Friend's Steak Knife Stabbing

The two men argued and Stinson stabbed Federico in the neck with a kitchen knife, the DA said. Stinson then fled and Federico got out of the car and collapsed on the sidewalk.

Yonkers police identified Stinson as a suspect after interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance videos. Stinson later surrendered himself to Yonkers police and was arrested.

The case was before Judge George Fufidio in Westchester County Court and was prosecuted by Senior Trial Counsel Craig Ascher and Assistant District Attorney Taylor Piscionere.