Prosecutor awaits report in case against Manfredonia

VERNON — The Tolland Judicial District’s top prosecutor told a judge Friday that he was still waiting for one report in the Willington murder case against Peter Manfredonia, a former UConn student who authorities said fled the state after two killings in 2020.

Manfredonia, clad in a beige jumpsuit, appeared virtually for the short hearing before Judge Connie L. Klatt. Tolland State’s Attorney Matthew Gedansky told Klatt, “We’re waiting on one more report that I think will be helpful toward the disposition.”

Gedansky did not elaborate on what the report entailed before asking the case to be continued.

Manfredonia’s lawyer, Michael Dolan, said more may happen at his client’s next court appearance.

“I expect to have more substantive discussions regarding the case in November,” he said.

In the case prosecuted by Gedansky, Manfredonia faces charges including murder, attempted murder, and first-degree assault of elderly victim in connection with a May 2020 attack in Willington that killed 62year-old Ted DeMers and severely injured another man, according to records.

Authorities allege Manfredonia attacked DeMers with a samurai-style sword, fatally injuring him, records show.

DeMers’ neighbor, John Franco, was also attacked by Manfredonia when he tried to intervene in the assault, according to accounts by his wife and police.

After the assault, police said, Manfredonia held a homeowner in Willington hostage after breaking in and stealing the man’s guns. For this, Manfredonia faces charges including first-degree larceny, first-degree robbery and home invasion.

After stealing the man’s vehicle and leaving him tied up in his basement, police said Manfredonia then went to Derby where he fatally shot 23-year-old Nicholas Eisele in his home, records show. Authorities allege he then forced Eisele’s girlfriend to drive him to New Jersey, where he released her unharmed, according to arrest records.

Manfredonia was eventually captured by police in Maryland, after he was recognized at a truck stop. He was later extradited back to Connecticut to face charges, officials said.

In the Milford Judicial District, Manfredonia faces charges of felony murder, murder, first-degree kidnapping, home invasion, first-degree robbery and and carrying a pistol without a permit.

Manfredonia has pleaded not guilty to the charges in both Tolland and Milford judicial districts, records show. He has been in custody since June 2020 on a combined $12 million bond.

Given he was arrested during the pandemic, Manfredonia has appeared virtually at many of his court appearances. Gedansky said Friday that Manfredonia could appear in person during his next hearing in Rockville Superior Court.

Klatt continued the case to Nov. 23. Manfredonia was scheduled to appear in superior court in Milford this week, but the appearance was pushed to Nov. 9, records show.