FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Vernon, CT) – Matthew C. Gedansky, Tolland State’s Attorney, announced that Peter Manfredonia, age 26, of Newtown, pleaded guilty today in Rockville Superior Court to Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59(a) and Home Invasion in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-100(a)(a).
Manfredonia’s plea follows his arrest in connection with the May 22, 2020 killing of Theodore DeMers, 62, and the wounding of John Franco, 80, in Willington, and a home invasion in Willington in which he held the homeowner hostage.
Manfredonia faces additional charges in connection with the murder of Nicholas Eisele, 23, and the kidnapping of Eisele’s girlfriend in Derby on May 24, 2020. Police found the girlfriend unharmed at a rest stop in New Jersey. The charges related to those victims are being prosecuted by Ansonia/Milford State’s Attorney Margaret E. Kelley. Manfredonia is scheduled to appear in Milford Superior Court on February 16, 2023.
Following the crimes, Manfredonia fled Connecticut. Local, state and federal authorities captured him in Maryland after a six-day search.
Manfredonia faces a total effective sentence of 55 years in prison when he is sentenced in Rockville Superior Court on April 20, 2023.
This case is being prosecuted by State’s Attorney Gedansky.