Man Cleared In 40-Year-Old Slaying Of Milford Woman: Report

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester County attorney this week dropped the charges against a Taunton man convicted in 1979 of slaying his 75-year-old aunt of Milford. Gary Cifizzari, who spent 35 years in prison for the crime, was released in July though a judge ordered a stay of sentence based on new DNA evidence found in connection with the killing.

Cifizzari was convicted of first-degree murder in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison for his connection in the death of Concetta Schiappa in her Milford home, Milford Daily News reports. In 2017, his case was picked up by the New England Innocence Project.

In May, prior to Cifizzari's release, his lawyers said DNA testing of biological fluid found on the victim’s nightgown identified another man, Michael Giroux, as the killer. Giroux is deceased, according to reports.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. told the Daily News that additional DNA testing, beyond what was discovered on the nightgown, prompted his office to drop the charges. He said there is no longer a viable case to prosecute.