Man Convicted of Murder After Brutal Beating of Social Worker Who Knocked on Wrong Door
PEEKSKILL, NY — A Westchester County jury has convicted a man of murder for the fatal beating of a social worker who was performing a routine home visit and mistakenly knocked on his apartment door. The verdict brings a long legal chapter to a painful end for the victim’s family and co-workers.
The jury found Hasseem Jenkins, 32, guilty on multiple counts, including second-degree murder, manslaughter, robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon in the violent death of 56-year-old social worker Maria Coto. The conviction followed a trial in White Plains that examined the May 2024 attack and left a community grappling with how quickly a simple mistake turned deadly.
Attack During Routine Visit
On May 14, 2024, Coto was conducting a home visit in an apartment complex in Peekskill when she inadvertently knocked on the wrong door while searching for her next client. Moments after Jenkins opened the door, prosecutors say he launched a brutal attack, repeatedly punching and stomping her while she tried to escape. Coto suffered severe head trauma and was placed on life support. She never regained consciousness and died about five weeks later in hospice care.
Jurors were shown evidence, including surveillance video and 911 audio recordings, that detailed the ferocity of the assault. Prosecutors told the court that Jenkins pursued Coto into a neighbor’s apartment and continued beating her while wearing heavy boots, inflicting injuries that led to catastrophic brain damage.
Defense and Verdict
During the trial, the defense argued that Jenkins was not fully responsible for his actions due to intoxication, claiming he had been involuntarily under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. The jury rejected that defense, concluding that the state had proven Jenkins acted with intent during the assault.
In delivering the verdict, jurors determined that Jenkins’ violence was not accidental or defensive, but criminally reckless and severe enough to justify a murder conviction.
Reaction From Family and Colleagues
In court, family members of Coto expressed relief at the verdict, though they acknowledged that no legal outcome could truly replace the loss of their loved one. Colleagues remembered Coto as a dedicated professional who cared deeply about her clients and community.
“This has been incredibly hard on all of us,” one relative said after the verdict. “We are grateful that justice has finally been served, but we still miss Maria every day.”
Coto’s union and coworkers also released statements supporting stronger safety protections for social workers and field staff, saying no one should fear for their life while doing their job.
Sentencing Later This Year
Jenkins now faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for later this year. Prosecutors have urged a substantial sentence to reflect the severity of the crime and to provide a sense of justice for Coto’s loved ones.
Community Impact and Safety Awareness
The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by social service professionals who frequently enter unfamiliar neighborhoods and homes while carrying out their duties. Advocates are calling for enhanced safety measures for employees who conduct in-home visits, including improved escort procedures and better communication protocols.
Local leaders also stressed the importance of community trust and shared responsibility for public safety, saying this tragedy should prompt policymakers and service agencies to look closely at how field workers are protected.
The conviction of Hasseem Jenkins in the murder of Maria Coto marks a significant legal decision in a case that shook the Peekskill area. While the verdict brings accountability, many in the community hope it will also lead to meaningful steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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