ROCHESTERFIRST – February 18, 2019
by Howard Thompson
The man sentenced to life without parole for the ambush murder of two people in the Village of Waterloo will appeal the sentence against him.
Heeding the call of family members of the victims in the shooting, a judge sentenced Emerson Tohafjian last week for the slayings of Lori McConnell and Charlie Andrus.
Trooper said Tohafjian ambushed the two and another woman at an apartment on Virginia Street last summer. All three were shot but only the third victim, Karen Zdunko, survived. Zdunko was able to identify Tohafjian as the shooter.
Tohafjian fled the scene but was arrested at a campground in Phelps, hours after the shooting.
Speaking with News 8, Tohafjian’s attorney says they have filed a notice of appeal in the case. Attorney Michael Witmer claims, despite the verdict, Tohafjian is not the murderer and says his case was hurt by the court refusing a request to move the trial.