White Plains, New York — A Yonkers man was sentenced today to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of a teen and 15 years in state prison plus five years of post-release supervision for the attempted murder of two others following a December, 2017 fight. These sentences will run concurrently.
Joel Thompson, 26, was found guilty after a jury trial on January 14, 2020 of Murder in the Second Degree in the death of 16-year-old Madysen Denman of Yonkers and two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree in the attempted murder of Denman’s boyfriend Omar Ramos and Ramos’ stepfather Monty Anthony.
Following a fight near an apartment building on Nepperhan Avenue and after verbally threatening the victims, Thompson intentionally drove his car onto the sidewalk and into Denman, crushing her body against a brick wall and killing her. He also attempted to kill Ramos and Anthony by trying to drive his car into them, but they were able to jump out of the way. Thompson fled the scene and was apprehended by Yonkers Police shortly thereafter.
At the sentencing, one of Denman’s sisters spoke of her family’s anguish, stating: “You wore us down, you tore us apart, you intentionally broke myself and my siblings….my entire family…all of Madysen’s friends into shattered pieces.”
“Madysen Denman was just 16 when her life was ended because of Joel Thompson’s actions, and her family has lost their daughter and sister far too soon,” said Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah. “Given the horrific nature of this crime, I hope that the family and the community can find some comfort in the fact that Thompson has been held accountable for his actions.”
The case was before County Court Judge George Fufidio. The case was investigated by the Yonkers Police Department and was prosecuted by Homicide Bureau Chief Lana Hochheiser and Assistant District Attorney Craig Asche.
