YONKERS, Westchester County (WABC) — A Yonkers man will be sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for a violent hate crime that left a 67-year-old woman hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage.
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Tammel Esco, 42 years old, pleaded guilty to a violent hate crime in March against an Asian woman who entered her apartment.
Esco approached the victim from behind and punched her in the head, causing her to fall to the ground, according to court documents.
It is alleged that Esco then proceeded to punch the victim more than 100 times, stomp on her several times and then spit on her.
Minutes before the attack, officials say he called her a racial slur.
The victim was taken to the hospital, where she was treated for a brain hemorrhage, facial fractures, and bruises and lacerations to her head and face.
“Today’s settlement provides justice for the brave victim who endured a shocking attack and its aftermath, and for a community traumatized by hate violence,” said Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocca. “I want to assure every community in Westchester County that my office will use every resource at our disposal to fight hate and bring those responsible to justice.”
The victim was in court for the sentencing and thanked those in the community who helped her.
She said she was grateful to be alive but “can’t even believe” she survived.
“I lost the place I called home for 24 years,” she said. “I will forever be on the edge.”
She thanked the police and prosecutors and said she “wouldn’t wish this pain and suffering on anyone.”
At the time of the incident, residents of the building said the suspect lived there.
“I had an argument with him, not physically, but what he did to my granddaughter,” said one neighbor. “I don’t understand how he came back here after doing what he did. He chased her and threw her out of that window.”
Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller called it one of the most horrific attacks he has ever seen.
“This is one of the most horrific attacks I have ever seen; beating a helpless woman is heinous, and targeting her because of her race makes it even more so,” he said at a news conference in March. “This defendant should be sentenced to the maximum penalty allowed by law to make it clear that hate and violent behavior is unacceptable in our communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family for a full recovery.”
If anyone is a victim of a hate or bias crime, or has additional information on the case, call the District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS.
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