Chautauqua County Woman Shot and Killed in Robbery

Chautauqua County Woman Shot and Killed in Robbery

BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a shocking turn of events, Jonathan Conklin, 43, and Charles Sanford, 30, have been charged with the murder of Mary Whitaker in Chautauqua County, New York.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, the charges against Conklin and Sanford pertain to their involvement in the robbery and murder of Mary Whitaker. The complaint alleges that on August 20, 2014, Conklin and Sanford went to Mary Whitaker’s home in Sherman, New York with the intention of robbing her.

Soon after Ms. Whitaker answered the door at her home, the defendants shot and killed her. Then they stole her vehicle and drove it to Erie, Pennsylvania, where they were arrested on August 22, 2014.

Both defendants were ordered detained pending a further hearing, scheduled for August 28, 2014.

The U.S. Attorney’s office warned that the fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation, which led to the charges against Conklin and Sanford, was a collaborative effort between the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace, the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney David W. Foley, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig, and the City of Erie (Pennsylvania) Police Department, under the direction of Chief Randy M. Bowers.

If convicted of the charges, Conklin and Sanford face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000.