A Yonkers man was sentenced to more than 17 years behind bars Tuesday for a vicious attack on an Asian woman that left her in the hospital with brain damage.
Tammel Esco previously pleaded guilty to committing the violent hate crime, in which he punched the victim more than 125 times and then stomped and spat on her as she came home to their shared building in March.
Moments before the attack, authorities say he yelled an anti-Asian slur.
“Because of the viciousness and hate of Tammel Esco, I lost the place I called home for over 24 years” the woman, whose name is being withheld, said in an impact statement ahead of sentencing. “I lost my peace of mind, my ability to relax. I lost months of my life; I will forever be on edge.”
“As the attack happened, all I could think was ‘Please Lord let me live, please Lord my daughters need me,’” the woman said. “A complete stranger heartlessly spit, beat and kicked me over 100 times because of my heritage.”
The sentence was part of the plea deal reached by Esco’s defense team and the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.
“Today’s agreement secures justice for the brave victim who endured the shocking attack and its aftermath, and for a community impacted by the trauma of this hate-driven violence,” Westchester County DA Miriam Rocah said. “I want to assure every community in Westchester County that my office will use every resource at our disposal to fight hate and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Jennifer Wu, of Groombridge Wu, is representing the victim on a pro bono basis, according to a statement from the firm.
A Legal Aid lawyer representing Esco did not immediately return a message.
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