A who killed a in 2011 will be sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and arson, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe.
In the spring, Jodyann Hemmings, 24, of 156 W. 122 St., underwent separate examinations by clinical and forensic psychologists retained by the defense and prosecution in the wake of the slaying of Jason Ognenoff, 37, of Pomona. Zugibe said these experts determined Hemmings was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance, which led her to kill Ognenoff.
These expert medical findings constitute legal mitigation to the "intentional" portion of the original count of second-degree murder, Zugibe said, resulting in the reduction to the charge against Hemmings to first-degree manslaughter.
Hemmings has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge as well as second-degree arson.
On Aug. 18, 2011, Hillcrest volunteer firefighters battling a blaze at 8 Charles Lane, Pomona, discovered Ognenoff's body in the living room of his apartment.
Zugibe said Hemmings intentionally set fire to Ognenoff’s home after striking him with a figurine and repeatedly stabbing him in the chest with a steak knife, causing his death.
Investigators ruled the fire arson. Ognenoff had worked at the CVS store in New City.
Hemmings eluded law enforcement officials for about six days following the killing. She was arrested near her home in New York City on Aug. 24, 2011.
The defendant will serve 15 years in state prison with five years post-release supervision, based on her guilty plea.
Hemmings is slated to be sentenced on Aug. 23, by State Supreme Court Judge William A. Kelly. As part of the plea, Hemmings is to be sentenced to 15 years in prison, and must serve five years of post-release supervision when she completes her prison term.
Hemmings is being held at the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City.
Supervising Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino and Senior Assistant District Attorney Richard K. Moran prosecuted the case.
