State’s attorney awaits report in murder case
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 that the case to be continued to November.
Manfredonia’s lawyer, Michael Dolan, said afterward that 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 62-year-old Ted DeMers and severely injured another man, according to records.
Authorities allege Manfredonia attacked DeMers with a samuraistyle 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 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 by his height 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, firstdegree 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 state Superior Court at Rockville.
Klatt continued the case to Nov. 23.