QUEENS, NY – Carmelo Mendoza, 44, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the tragic stabbing of his wife, Yaquelin Collado, 45, during an argument in their Jackson Heights apartment in July 2020.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced the plea and expressed her hope that the resolution will bring some closure to the grieving family.
The violent incident was unfortunately witnessed by the victim’s 19-year-old daughter, who tried in vain to stop the brutal attack by throwing items at Mendoza and attempting to push him off her mother.
Mendoza is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11 to an indeterminate term of 18 years to life in prison by Queens Supreme Court Justice Ira Margulis.