Crime & Safety
Guilty Plea for One of Mary Whitaker's Suspected Killers
The long-time violinist with the Westchester Philharmonic Orchestra was murdered in 2014 while at her vacation home upstate.
Charles Sanford, 31, one of the suspected killers of Mary Whitaker has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, according to published reports.
Sanford entered the plea in Chautauqua County Court earlier this week. Whitaker, a 25-year veteran violinist with the Westchester Philharmonic Orchestra, was killed in August 2014 while at her Westfield, NY, summer home.
Authorities believe Sanford and accomplice Jonathan Conklin, 44, shot and stabbed the 61-year-old Whitaker, killing her during a robbery.
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The Journal News reports, based on information from the Jamestown Post-Journal, that prosecutors appear to have reached a deal with Sanford to testify at Conklin’s trial. Sanford is expected to be sentenced in February to 15 years in prison for his cooperation.
Click here to read the full story on The Journal News website.
Find out what's happening in White Plainsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Photo: Mary Whitaker. Photo credit: Westchester Philharmonic Orchestra
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