The gruesome case of a murdered 71-year-old man has taken a turn, with the State Attorney’s Office announcing their pursuit of the death penalty against Joseph Schiliro, who has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly dismembering the elderly victim and burying the remains in a Valrico backyard, as per an official statement by the State Attorney.
Before the murder, the victim had entrusted Schiliro, ostensibly to assist with daily errands due to his terminal illness but instead Schiliro is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the victim and flying in an accomplice, Silviano Christman, from New York to take part in the crime. Surveillance footage captured Schiliro and Christman with the victim at a pizza restaurant mere hours before the murder is believed to have occurred, they were also seen on video making purchases at local hardware stores, including buying the saw believed to be used in the dismemberment, according to reports from the Hillsborough County investigation.
While Schiliro faces the serious possibility of the death sentence, his co-defendant, Christman awaits extradition back to Hillsborough County from New York, where he is currently incarcerated, to be officially charged with the crime. State Attorney Suzy Lopez expressed her shock at the brutality of the crime, stating, "I cannot fathom how anyone could commit this heinous act against a defenseless, elderly victim. We believe a jury should decide if this defendant should be sentenced to death for these cruel acts," emphasizing the vicious nature of the offense, as per the State Attorney's Office.
