Erie Pair Could Face Death Penalty in Town of Westfield Murder

Two men -- one very familiar to local police -- face federal charges in the murder of Chautauqua Institution concert violinist Mary Whitaker. Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says police in Erie, Pennsylvania arrested 43-year-old Jonathan Conklin, an Erie native, and 30-year-old Charles Sanford of French Street in Erie on Friday without incident. Gerace says the two men allegedly went to the 61-year-old Whitaker's home to steal something of value, but she refused to give them any information. He says she was shot once in the chest and once in the leg before they fled...

Joe Gerace: Whitaker was forced to give the suspects information

Gerace says Conklin then tried to use Whitaker's credit card, and the attempts were tracked by the FBI's Financial Team, and they were able to find him, then Sanford. Since the crime occured in New York, and the stolen vehicle was taken to Erie, federal authorities were brought in. U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr. says the pair face three charges, including carjacking during commission of a murder...

William Hochul, Jr. on carjacking charge

However, Hochul did confirm that -- at some point -- this could become a death penalty case. The other charges include transporting stolen property across state lines, and use of a firearm in commission of a violent crime. Conklin and Sanford were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Buffalo.  Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley says state charges are pending.  Police say Whitaker's body was found in her garage.

 

Photo of suspects Jonathan Conklin (left) and Charles Sanford (right) by WGRZ-TV

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