A man who was being sought in connection with his mother’s murder turned himself in to West Seneca police Tuesday afternoon and was jailed after being arraigned.
Primitivo Cruz, 45, was ordered held without bail on a second-degree murder charge after appearing before West Seneca Town Justice Jeffrey M. Harrington on Tuesday evening in the murder of his 77-year-old mother, Carol Quinn.
Cruz was silent during his brief court appearance and was immediately taken to the Erie County Holding Center.
He had been described by West Seneca police officials as a “person of interest” in the death of his mother since police found her body on the floor of her Burch Avenue apartment at about 3 p.m. Saturday.
Harrington scheduled a pre-grand jury felony hearing to review evidence in the case for 6 p.m. Monday.
Frank M. Bogulski, a veteran Buffalo-area defense attorney who is representing Cruz, said he wouldn’t be surprised to see prosecutors obtain an indictment from a grand jury before that pending court session. Under state criminal law, prosecutors can either conduct an evidence hearing before grand jury action or seek a direct indictment.
Colleen Curtin Gable, the top aide to Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.
Bogulski, who has represented Cruz in previous criminal cases, said, “My client is adamant about his innocence.” The attorney said the fact that Cruz turned himself in to police when he learned he was being sought “demonstrates his innocence.”
“Police received calls Saturday from out-of-state relatives of Quinn, a former Buffalo teacher’s aide, who were concerned that they could not get in touch with her.
Cruz initially was questioned by West Seneca police when he was seen walking the streets near his mother’s home Saturday afternoon but was allowed to go.
Police later learned his mother had recently obtained a court order of protection against Cruz, last known to be living in a Military Road house in Kenmore. Family members have acknowledged he has had a drinking problem.
He reportedly periodically lived with his mother on Burch Avenue.
email: mgryta@buffnews.com
Primitivo Cruz, 45, was ordered held without bail on a second-degree murder charge after appearing before West Seneca Town Justice Jeffrey M. Harrington on Tuesday evening in the murder of his 77-year-old mother, Carol Quinn.
Cruz was silent during his brief court appearance and was immediately taken to the Erie County Holding Center.
He had been described by West Seneca police officials as a “person of interest” in the death of his mother since police found her body on the floor of her Burch Avenue apartment at about 3 p.m. Saturday.
Harrington scheduled a pre-grand jury felony hearing to review evidence in the case for 6 p.m. Monday.
Frank M. Bogulski, a veteran Buffalo-area defense attorney who is representing Cruz, said he wouldn’t be surprised to see prosecutors obtain an indictment from a grand jury before that pending court session. Under state criminal law, prosecutors can either conduct an evidence hearing before grand jury action or seek a direct indictment.
Colleen Curtin Gable, the top aide to Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.
Bogulski, who has represented Cruz in previous criminal cases, said, “My client is adamant about his innocence.” The attorney said the fact that Cruz turned himself in to police when he learned he was being sought “demonstrates his innocence.”
“Police received calls Saturday from out-of-state relatives of Quinn, a former Buffalo teacher’s aide, who were concerned that they could not get in touch with her.
Cruz initially was questioned by West Seneca police when he was seen walking the streets near his mother’s home Saturday afternoon but was allowed to go.
Police later learned his mother had recently obtained a court order of protection against Cruz, last known to be living in a Military Road house in Kenmore. Family members have acknowledged he has had a drinking problem.
He reportedly periodically lived with his mother on Burch Avenue.
email: mgryta@buffnews.com