Guilty Verdict In Killing Of Collinwood Car Dealership Owners

CLEVELAND — On Thursday, a jury found Joseph McAlpin guilty of killing two people that owned a car dealership in the Collinwood neighborhood.

On April 14, 2017, McAlpin shot both Michael Kuznik, 50, and Trina Tomola, 46, and their family dog. The couple owned the Mr. Cars dealership and prosecutors argued that McAlpin killed the couple so he could steal a car from the lot.

“This verdict is not a victory, it just a necessary step in our criminal justice process. It does not bring back Michael Kuznik or Trina Tomola to their children and family,” said Prosecutor Michael O’Malley. “McAlpin’s horrific actions warrant the death penalty.”

The jury found McAlpin guilty of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, murder, felonious assault, grand theft, cruelty to animals, injuring animals, and having a weapon under disability. The 31-year-old McAlpin could face the death penalty for the murders.

Sentencing of McAlpin will begin on April 22.

According to prosecutors, McAlpin and two other men, Andrew Keener and Jerome Kiggs, went to the Mr. Cars dealership with the intention of stealing cars. They wanted to split the profits between themselves, prosecutor argued.

The three men parked on Windward Road and McAlpin walked into the dealership by himself. At approximately 5:30 p.m. he shot Kuznik twice in the head, near the front of the dealership showroom, prosecutors said. McAlpin then shot Tomola once in the head, in an office in the back of the building. The family dog, Axel, was also shot in the head and was found near Tomola, according to testimony.

McAlpin then walked onto the lot and stole a BMW, prosecutors said.

Kuznik and Tomola were found dead after they didn't return home to their children. Cleveland Police and EMS arrived on the scene after the children called 911. Kuznik and Tomola were pronounced dead at the scene.