Suspects in Westchester Stabbing Death Indicted

Two suspects in the Nov. 23 stabbing death of a Peekskill man were indicted on counts of murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon today.

The Westchester County District Attorney announced that Sunil Williams, 29, and Maurice Walker, 33, were indicated on the charges second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies, for the death of 23-year-old Alexander Rochester.

Rochester, who recently moved to the area from the Bronx, was stabbed at about 10:30 a.m. in the vicinity of the Platinum barbershop, located on 629 South St.

Police said Rochester and Walker, the barbershop’s owner, Maurice Walker, got into a fight that morning and Williams, who worked at the barbershop, jumped in to help Walker. Williams stabbed Rochester before fleeing the scene.

He was rushed to Hudson Valley Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead.

Police began an investigation and arrested Williams that day. They arrested Walker on Nov. 28 after reviewing surveillance video from inside the shop.

Investigators said the incident stemmed from a prior dispute and occurred outside the barbershop.

Bail was set at $150,000 for defendant Walker; Williams was remanded to Westchester County Jail.

Their next court date is Jan. 31.

The defendants each face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison on the top count of the indictment.

 Assistant District Attorney Christine O’Connor and Assistant District Attorney Shameika Mathurin of the Superior Court Trial Division are prosecuting the case.