Yonkers man accused in violent hate crime against Asian woman expected in court

Esco is accused of calling a 67-year-old Filipina woman an anti-Asian slur before punching her more than 100 times and then stomping and spitting on her.

News 12 Staff

Mar 25, 2022, 9:27 AM

Updated 944 days ago

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A Yonkers man accused of committing a violent hate crime against an Asian woman is due back in court in a week. 
A virtual appearance was originally scheduled for 42-year-old Tammel Esco at Yonkers City Court on Friday.
Esco is accused of calling a 67-year-old Filipina woman an anti-Asian slur before punching her more than 100 times and then stomping and spitting on her.
The attack happened on March 11 as the woman tried to enter the lobby of her apartment building.
The victim's family says she is home after she was hospitalized. They say she suffered with broken bones in her face and bleeding to the brain.
Esco has a criminal record with 14 arrests and multiple convictions, including pushing a woman through a window last February, but didn’t receive jail time.
Esco faces charges for attempted murder and assault, both as hate crimes.
The Asian American community along with many other residents are outraged over the attack and demand justice for the victim.
"Asian Americans are being specifically targeted by people, and we need law enforcement and government to acknowledge that and take action,” says David Imamura, of the Westchester Asian American Advisory Board. "Asian Americans feel that they can't go anywhere. They can't go to the store, they can't go to work without the fear of being attacked.”
Esco is being held without bail at the Westchester County Jail.
The case will likely be moved to county court.