Hudson Valley Man Arraigned in Choking Death of Neighbor

A Hudson Valley man was arraigned on charges he broke into his neighbor’s apartment and choked the victim to death. Police say the two had an ongoing dispute.

In Westchester County Court, 40-year-old Karmel Mills of Yonkers was arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder, burglary, and strangulation, all felonies.

According to the prosecution, on Jan. 19, 2016 Yonkers Police responded to a 911 call at 52 Ravine Avenue. Upon arrival they found the victim’s apartment door broken off the hinges and Mills choking the victim, David Pinnock.

Police ordered Mills off the victim and he complied. Mill, who was bleeding from his head, was placed under arrested and taken to a local hospital.

Police performed CPR on the victim who had no pulse. Emergency officials were able to resuscitated Pinnock and transport him to Westchester Medical Center. There he was put into a medically induced coma and placed on a ventilator.

Medical personal determined Pinnock suffered blunt force trauma, brain damage, and kidney and lung failure. He was removed from the ventilator on Feb. 6, 2016 and pronounced dead.

Mills pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is due in court on March 30.

If convicted of the murder charge Mills faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.