Westchester Insider: MOUNT VERNON WOMAN FACES ASSAULT & OTHER CHARGES IN INCIDENT INVOLVING A FORMER PARTNER, ALREADY CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER OF ANOTHER EX-PARTNER.

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

MIRIAM E. ROCAH

 

 

***NEWS RELEASE***

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 3, 2021

 

ALREADY CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A FORMER PARTNER, MOUNT VERNON WOMAN FACES ASSAULT & OTHER CHARGES IN INCIDENT INVOLVING ANOTHER EX-PARTNER.

 

A 54-year-old Mount Vernon woman who is already charged with the 2019 attempted murder of a former intimate partner was charged this week with assault, menacing and other charges stemming from a second incident earlier this year involving another former intimate partner.

 

Shaun Rhames was indicted in County Court on June 1 on two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree and Menacing in the Second Degree. Bail was set at $50,000 bond / $25,000 cash / $150,000 partially secured bond.

 

“This case is a disturbing reminder that violence in intimate relationships can take many forms and that the victims can be both men and women,” said Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah.  “We are committed to holding Shaun Rhames accountable for her actions in both of these cases and to getting justice for her victims.”

 

The latest charges stem from a February 21 incident at Rhames’ home in Mount Vernon involving a former intimate partner who was also a long-time friend. As the 65-year-old victim sat at Rhames’ kitchen table, she came up behind him with two knives in hand, held one knife to his neck and threatened to kill him.

 

The two struggled, and Rhames got on top of the victim and tried to cut off one of his fingers. She also beat him on his head and face with the handle of one of the knives. The victim sustained head and hand injuries that required stitches.

 

Rhames then ordered the victim to empty his pockets of his belongings and to disrobe except for a coat and shoes, and forced him outside of the residence. Rhames herself called the police, and was subsequently taken into custody. She has been held at the Westchester County Jail since the February incident.

 

The 2019 attempted murder with which Rhames is charged also took place in Mount Vernon. Bail in that case was set by Mount Vernon City Court at $50,000 cash or bond, and Rhames had been released from custody after meeting bail requirements.

 

The case is before Judge Susan Capeci, and is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Janelle Armentano.