Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty.
WHITE PLAINS, NY — February 6, 2016 — Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty announced yesterday that Edwin Palestina (DOB 11/21/91) of Yonkers, New York, pled guilty to the following charges:
Edwin Palestina
• one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony and
• one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony
in the shooting death of Rodney Saunders.
On May 1st, 2014 at approximately 2am EST the 23 year old victim was walking on Woodsworth Avenue near Gold Street in Yonkers when two men got out of a minivan and opened fire in an ambush.
Saunders attempted to enter his house but he was struck six times by bullets. The fatal shot struck him in the chest, traveling through his heart and lungs.
A witness looking out of his window was also fired upon. The bullet hit a window guard, crazing his shoulder.
The two shooters ran to the waiting minivan and fled the area.
An intensive investigation led to information identifying Edwin Palestina as one of the two shooters.
On June 16th, 2015 Palestina was arrested by Yonkers Detectives and the F.B.I. in Houston, Texas.
The defendant is remanded to the Westchester County Jail.
He is due to be sentenced on April 7th, 2016.
The defendant faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Assistant District Attorney Julia Cornachio and Assistant District Attorney John O’Rourke of the Superior Court Trial Division are prosecuting the case.
