By Lisa Backus, Ben Lambert and Ethan Fry

Updated

4:46 pm EDT, Friday, June 12, 2020

ROCKVILLE — Peter Manfredonia — the University of Connecticut student accused of two killings, kidnapping, home invasion and other crimes — has been placed on suicide watch while he’s held on $7 million bond.

Manfredonia, 23, appeared for his arraignment Friday via video conference from the lockup in state Superior Court in Rockville. Wearing a white shirt and face mask, Manfredonia did not speak during the 10-minute hearing.

Manfredonia did not enter a plea to the charges of murder, attempted murder, first-degree assault, home invasion, kidnapping and other offenses related to the crimes police say he committed in Willington last month.

The Newtown High grad is expected to face more charges next week in connection with the Derby homicide of a former high school classmate and the kidnapping of the man’s girlfriend, police said.

READ MORE: Six days, four states: The hunt for Peter Manfredonia

Manfredonia was returned to Connecticut early Friday from Maryland, where he was captured May 27 following a six-day manhunt.

Defense attorney Michael Dolan requested his client be placed on suicide and mental health watch while he’s held in jail.

Dolan, who said his client will eventually plead not guilty to the charges, declined to comment after the hearing whether he was pursuing a mental health defense.

Superior Court Judge Hope Seeley denied Dolan’s request to lower his client’s bond to $2 million. Seeley instead increased it to $7 million — $5 million in the Willington homicide case and $2 million for a separate home invasion in that town.

Tolland State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky requested high bail, noting the strength of the state’s case, severity of the crimes alleged and the risk Manfredonia poses to the community.

“These are both very strong cases for the state,” Gedansky told the judge. “The defendant presents a particular danger to the community.”

Manfredonia has been charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault, home invasion, kidnapping, first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree robbery, first-degree larceny, two counts of first-degree stealing a firearm, and third-degree assault of an elderly person. The arrest warrant for the Willington crimes has been sealed for 14 days.

The case was continued to July 10 and a probable cause hearing has been scheduled for July 30.

Photos of Manfredonia’s former bedroom were turned over to police that show hand-written messages on the walls, according to an attorney representing a man who is considered a cooperating witness in the case. One of the messages references Adam Lanza, who killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 and lived on the same street as Manfredonia’s childhood home.

State police have not released a motive for the series of events that began May 22 when they say Manfredonia attacked two men with a type of machete in upstate Connecticut.

A source close to the investigation said Manfredonia was heading to see his former girlfriend in Willington when his motorcycle broke down.

Theodore DeMers offered Manfredonia a ride on his four-wheeler when police say the 62-year-old man was fatally attacked with an “edged” weapon. John Franco, 80, was critically injured in the attack when he came to help his neighbor. Alice Franco told Hearst Connecticut Media that the condition of her husband, a U.S. Navy vet who grew up in Trumbull, has improved with the most serious injuries to his hands.

Police said Manfredonia went into hiding before holding a Willington man captive two days later. The man was left unharmed after police say Manfredonia stole his guns, food, supplies and his truck during the home invasion.

A few hours later, police recovered the stolen truck in Derby, setting off an extensive search that led authorities to a Roosevelt Drive home about a mile away. Inside the home, police said they found the body of Nicholas Eisele, a former Newtown High School classmate of Manfredonia.

The state’s medical examiner said Eisele was shot several times in the head. Police said Manfredonia kidnapped the 23-year-old man’s girlfriend who was found several hours later unharmed in New Jersey.

Investigators tracked Manfredonia to Pennsylvania and then Maryland where he surrendered without incident near a truck stop on May 27.

Pool reporter Dave Owens, of the Hartford Courant, contributed to this story.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com

By Lisa Backus, Ben Lambert and Ethan Fry

Updated

2:17 pm EDT, Friday, June 12, 2020

ROCKVILLE — Peter Manfredonia — the University of Connecticut student accused of two killings, kidnapping, home invasion and other crimes — has been placed on suicide watch while he’s held on $7 million bond.

Manfredonia, 23, appeared for his arraignment Friday via video conference from the lockup in state Superior Court in Rockville. Wearing a white shirt and face mask, Manfredonia did not speak during the 10-minute hearing.

Manfredonia did not enter a plea to the charges of murder, attempted murder, first-degree assault, home invasion, kidnapping and other charges related to the crimes police say he committed in Willington last month.

The Newtown High grad is expected to face more charges next week in connection with the homicide of a former high school classmate and the kidnapping of the man’s girlfriend, police said.

READ MORE: Six days, four states: The hunt for Peter Manfredonia

Manfredonia was returned to Connecticut early Friday from Maryland, where he was captured May 27 following a six-day manhunt.

Defense attorney Michael Dolan requested his client be placed on suicide and mental health watch while he’s held in jail.

Dolan, who said his client will eventually plead not guilty to the charges, declined to comment after the hearing whether he was pursuing a mental health defense.

Superior Court Judge Hope Seeley denied Dolan’s request to lower his client’s bond to $2 million. Seeley instead increased it to $7 million — $5 million in the Willington homicide case and $2 million for a separate home invasion in that town.

Tolland State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky requested high bail, noting the strength of the state’s case, severity of the crimes alleged and the risk Manfredonia poses to the community.

“These are both very strong cases for the state,” Gedansky told the judge. “The defendant presents a particular danger to the community.”

Manfredonia, who was extradited from Maryland where he was captured last month after six days on the run, has been charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault, home invasion, kidnapping, first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree robbery, first-degree larceny, two counts of first-degree stealing a firearm, and third-degree assault of an elderly person. The arrest warrant for the Willington crimes has been sealed for 14 days.

The case was continued to July 10 and a probable cause hearing has been scheduled for July 30.

State police have not released a motive for the series of events that began May 22 when they say Manfredonia attacked two men with a type of machete in upstate Connecticut.

A source close to the investigation said Manfredonia was heading to see his former girlfriend in Willington when his motorcycle broke down.

Theodore DeMers offered Manfredonia a ride on his four-wheeler when police say the 62-year-old man was fatally attacked with an “edged” weapon. John Franco, 80, was critically injured in the attack when he came to help his neighbor. Alice Franco told Hearst Connecticut Media that the condition of her husband, a U.S. Navy vet who grew up in Trumbull, has improved with the most serious injuries to his hands.

Two days later, a Willington man was left unharmed after police say Manfredonia stole his guns, food, supplies and his truck during a home invasion.

A few hours later, police recovered the stolen truck in Derby, setting off an extensive search that led authorities to a Roosevelt Drive home about a mile away. Inside the home, police said they found the body of Nicholas Eisele, a former Newtown High School classmate of Manfredonia.

The state’s medical examiner said Eisele was shot several times in the head. police said Manfredonia kidnapped the 23-year-old man’s girlfriend who was found several hours later unharmed in New Jersey.

Investigators tracked Manfredonia to Pennsylvania and then Maryland where he surrendered without incident near a truck stop on May 27.

Manfredonia waived extradition to Connecticut in a Maryland court the day after his capture. He could also be face federal charges in the kidnapping of Eisele’s girlfriend.

Photos of Manfredonia’s former bedroom were turned over to police that show hand-written messages on the walls, according to an attorney representing a man who is considered a cooperating witness in the case. One of the messages references Adam Lanza, who killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 and lived on the same street as Manfredonia’s childhood home.

Pool reporter Dave Owens, of the Hartford Courant, contributed to this story.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com

By Lisa Backus, Ben Lambert and Ethan Fry

Updated

1:20 pm EDT, Friday, June 12, 2020

ROCKVILLE — Peter Manfredonia — the University of Connecticut student accused of two killings, kidnapping, home invasion and other crimes — has been placed on suicide watch while he’s held on $7 million bond.

Manfredonia, 23, was arraigned Friday in state Superior Court in Rockville on charges related to crimes police say he committed in Willington last month. Manfredonia is expected to face more charges next week in connection with the homicide of a former high school classmate and the kidnapping of the man’s girlfriend, police said.

Manfredonia was returned to Connecticut early Friday from Maryland, where he was captured May 27 following a six-day manhunt.

Manfredonia did not enter a plea during his arraignment, but his attorney, Michael Dolan, said his client will eventually plead not guilty to the charges.

Superior Court Judge Hole Seeley increased Manfredonia’s bond to $7 million — $5 million in the Willington homicide case and $2 million for a separate home invasion in that town — and the case was continued to July 10.

Tolland State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky requested high bail, noting the strength of the state’s case, severity of the crimes alleged and the risk Manfredonia poses to the community.

“These are both very strong cases for the state,” Gedansky told the judge. “The defendant presents a particular danger to the community.”

Dolan said Manfredonia’s family could not post the $2 million recommended by a bail commissioner, but the judge denied the attorney’s request for lower bond.

Dolan said Manfredonia is a lifelong Connecticut resident, UConn student and has no record. He asked for a suicide watch and mental health watch for his client while in the state Department of Correction custody.

Manfredonia, 23, who was extradited from Maryland where he was captured last month after six days on the run, has been charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault, two counts of stealing a firearm, and assault of an elderly person, among other offenses. The arrest warrant for the Willington crimes has been sealed for 14 days.

READ MORE: Six days, four states: The hunt for Peter Manfredonia

A probable cause hearing could be held in late July, Dolan said. Dolan declined to comment about whether Manfredonia’s mental health would be the main focus of his defense.

Manfredonia, an accomplished football player and track athlete at Newtown High School where he graduated in 2015, is a senior at the UConn, where he is a finance and mechanical engineering student.

State police have not released a motive for the series of events that began May 22 when they say Manfredonia attacked two men with a type of machete in upstate Connecticut.

A source close to the investigation said Manfredonia was heading to see his former girlfriend in Willington when his motorcycle broke down.

Theodore DeMers offered Manfredonia a ride on his four-wheeler when police say the 62-year-old man was fatally attacked with an “edged” weapon. John Franco, 80, was critically injured in the attack when he came to help his neighbor. Alice Franco told Hearst Connecticut Media that the condition of her husband, a U.S. Navy vet who grew up in Trumbull, has improved with the most serious injuries to his hands.

Two days later, a Willington man was left unharmed after police say Manfredonia stole his guns, food, supplies and his truck during a home invasion.

A few hours later, police recovered the stolen truck in Derby, setting off an extensive search that led authorities to a Roosevelt Drive home about a mile away. Inside the home, police said they found the body of Nicholas Eisele, a former Newtown High School classmate of Manfredonia.

The state’s medical examiner said Eisele was shot several times in the head. police said Manfredonia kidnapped the 23-year-old man’s girlfriend who was found several hours later unharmed in New Jersey.

Investigators tracked Manfredonia to Pennsylvania and then Maryland where he surrendered without incident near a truck stop on May 27.

Manfredonia waived extradition to Connecticut in a Maryland court the day after his capture. He could also be face federal charges in the kidnapping of Eisele’s girlfriend.

Photos of Manfredonia’s former bedroom were turned over to police that show hand-written messages on the walls, according to an attorney representing a man who is considered a cooperating witness in the case. One of the messages references Adam Lanza, who killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 and lived on the same street as Manfredonia’s childhood home.

Pool reporter Dave Owens, of the Hartford Courant, contributed to this story.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com

By Lisa Backus and Ben Lambert

Updated

10:36 am EDT, Friday, June 12, 2020

Peter Manfredonia — the University of Connecticut student accused of killing two people, kidnapping a woman and other crimes — will be arraigned Friday in state Superior Court in Rockville.

Manfredonia, 23, who was extradited from Maryland where he was captured last month after six days on the run, will be arraigned on charges of murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault, two counts of stealing a firearm, and assault of an elderly person, among others.

Those charges pertain to crimes that occurred in Willington, State Trooper Josue Dorelus said during a morning news briefing. Dorelus said Manfredonia is being held on $5 million bond and the arrest warrant will be sealed for 14 days.

Manfredonia is expected to be charged next week in connection with the Derby homicide of a former high school classmate and kidnapping of the man’s girlfriend, police said.

“Our hope is that the developments that will be provided today will give the families and communities impacted some kind of closure,” Dorelus said.

READ MORE: Six days, four states: The hunt for Peter Manfredonia

Defense attorney Michael Dolan, who has been the spokesman for the Manfredonia family, said Friday he plans to represent the college student in the case.

He does not expect Manfredonia to post the $5 million bond, but will argue for a bond reduction during the arraignment. He said his client will not enter a plea on Friday, but said Manfredonia will eventually plead not guilty to the charges.

Dolan declined to comment on whether he has spoken with Manfredonia.

Prior to arriving at the courthouse, Dolan said he had not yet seen the arrest warrant for the Willington crimes that has been sealed for 14 days. Dolan believes that no other arrest warrants, including one stemming from the alleged crimes in Derby, have been signed yet.

Dolan expects the entire case will be handled by the state of Connecticut and no other charges will be filed by other state or federal authorities.

Some of Manfredonia’s family members are expected to be at the arraignment, he said.

“It’s been difficult for the family,” he said.

Manfredonia, an accomplished football player and track athlete at Newtown High School where he graduated in 2015, is a senior at the UConn, where he is a finance and mechanical engineering student.

State police have not released a motive for the series of events that began May 22 when they say Manfredonia attacked two men with a type of machete in upstate Connecticut.

A source close to the investigation said Manfredonia was heading to see his former girlfriend in Willington when his motorcycle broke down.

Theodore DeMers offered Manfredonia a ride on his four-wheeler when police say the 62-year-old man was fatally attacked with an “edged” weapon. John Franco, 80, was critically injured in the attack when he came to help his neighbor. Alice Franco told Hearst Connecticut Media that the condition of her husband, a U.S. Navy vet who grew up in Trumbull, has improved with the most serious injuries to his hands.

Two days later, a Willington man was left unharmed after police say Manfredonia stole his guns, food, supplies and his truck during a home invasion.

A few hours later, police recovered the stolen truck in Derby, setting off an extensive search that led authorities to a Roosevelt Drive home about a mile away. Inside the home, police said they found the body of Nicholas Eisele, a former Newtown High School classmate of Manfredonia.

The state’s medical examiner said Eisele was shot several times in the head. police said Manfredonia kidnapped the 23-year-old man’s girlfriend who was found several hours later unharmed in New Jersey.

Investigators tracked Manfredonia to Pennsylvania and then Maryland where he surrendered without incident near a truck stop on May 27.

Manfredonia waived extradition to Connecticut in a Maryland court the day after his capture. He could also be face federal charges in the kidnapping of Eisele’s girlfriend.

A spokesman for his family has said Manfredonia suffers from mental health issues, but has never been violent.

Photos of Manfredonia’s former bedroom were turned over to police that show hand-written messages on the walls, according to an attorney representing a man who is considered a cooperating witness in the case. One of the messages references Adam Lanza, who killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 and lived on the same street as Manfredonia’s childhood home.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com