Westchester County Makes History with Country’s First-Ever Torture As Murder Charge

In a chilling and unprecedented case, New York's Westchester County prosecutors have issued torture as a murder charge for the first time in the county’s history.

Kenya Tilford, 41, stands accused of a horrifying crime involving the torture and subsequent murder of her partner, Concetta Morton, which allegedly spanned three months.

Details of the Alleged Crime

According to prosecutors, Tilford subjected Concetta Morton to months of torture before ultimately killing her through asphyxiation. The grim details emerged during Tilford’s arraignment before the New York State Supreme Court, where she faced an 18-count indictment that included charges of murder, strangulation, concealment of a human corpse, and intimidating a victim or witness.

Unprecedented Charges

District Attorney Miriam Rocah expressed the gravity of the charges, emphasizing that this marks the first instance in the county’s history where someone has been charged with torture leading to murder.

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The case has sent shockwaves through the community and legal circles alike, highlighting the heinous nature of the alleged crime.

Timeline of Events

The disturbing sequence of events reportedly began last fall when Tilford allegedly began torturing Morton, culminating in her death by strangulation. After killing Morton, Tilford allegedly disposed of her body by placing it in a storage bin behind her apartment in New Rochelle.

Evidence and Investigation

The prosecution’s case includes compelling evidence, such as surveillance footage allegedly showing Tilford purchasing items used in the crime, including a hooded coverall, bleach, tarps, paper towels, rubber gloves, a chainsaw, and the storage bin where Morton’s body was discovered.

Legal Proceedings

The discovery of Morton’s body was made possible thanks to a tip received by Tarrytown police, leading to Tilford’s arrest on September 15, 2023. The case has drawn significant attention due to its unprecedented nature and the severity of the charges leveled against Tilford.