YONKERS, NY: Cordero sentencing is delayed again

Cordero sentencing is delayed again.

Eddie Cordero’s sentencing has been delayed again. He had pleaded guilty to raping a 12 year of Yonkers girl in 2004.

As part of a plea agreement that would result in a 27-year state prison sentence, Cordero has to confirm in court that, in 1998, he was convicted of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. On Jan. 18 Cordero said he couldn't remember if he was convicted in that case. Westchester County Judge Robert DiBella adjourned the case until yesterday. Cordero's lawyer said his client has illnesses that affect his memory.

DiBella had already postponed sentencing once, after discovering that Cordero had refused to see a probation officer at the Westchester County jail last month.

DiBella then adjourned the case until tomorrow, when a hearing will be held to determine whether the Westchester County District Attorney's Office can prove that Cordero was convicted in the 1998 case..

Cordero is to be sentenced on convictions that include kidnapping, rape, intimidating a victim or witness, bribery and attempted coercion. At the time of his arrest he was classified as a moderate-risk registered sex offender after serving three years in prison for the 1998 conviction.

Cordero pleaded guilty to the latest charges in November, admitting that, on April 2, 2004, he abducted a 12-year-old at a Yonkers bus stop and drove her to Hastings-on-Hudson, where he raped her. He then drove her home and warned her not to tell anyone. He also admitted that he sent the 12-year-old's family a threatening letter, had a fellow inmate intimidate them and offered the girl's mother $5,000 to get the case dropped.

One has to ask the question is what is going on in our Westchester County DA’s office of Janet Difiore. We hope she will fix this issue & keep fighting for the protection of children in this County.

Posted By Yonkers Newswire Editor Brian Harrod