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Deshawn Manners, 33, of 35 Cliff St., was arraigned Wednesday on a five-count felony indictment, including attempted rape and strangulation.
Prosecutors say on June 18 around 3 a.m. Manners followed a 53-year-old woman for several blocks from Getty Square to Park Avenue as she walked in the direction of her home.
Manners is accused of attacking the woman from behind, choking her until she became unconscious, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore said in a statement. When the woman regained consciousness, Manners is accused of ripping open her blouse and sexually assaulting her, DiFiore said.
“Although the victim repeatedly attempted to escape, the defendant was relentless in his attack resulting in serious physical and emotional trauma to the victim,” DiFiore said.
A nearby homeowner called 911 after hearing the woman’s cries for help, prosecutors said. When Yonkers police arrived, they saw the attack, but the suspect escaped on foot.
Police say DNA from the scene matched Manners’ existing profile and he was arrested on Oct. 22 as he left the Westchester County Jail after serving a sentence on a prior conviction.
Manners was charged with first-degree attempted rape, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault and second-degree strangulation, all felonies.
Manners is being held without bail and is due back in court on Jan. 22. He faces up to 15 years in state prison if convicted.
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