Jufer Denies Killing Wife in Wayne County in 2010
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: February 7, 2013
Honesdale, Wayne County - One day after criminal charges were filed against him, Robert Jufer was brought back to Wayne County to face a judge.
The 71-year-old is accused of killing his wife June in their Cherry Ridge Township home in October 2010.
Robert Jufer's day started in a Westchester County, New York courtroom. That is where he waived his extradition back to Pennsylvania. He was taken into custody in Dobbs Ferry, New York on Wednesday.
He was then immediately brought back to the Wayne County courthouse in Honesdale.
As he was led into the courthouse, Jufer said he felt wrongfully accused. He denied shooting his wife. When questioned by reporters, he stuck to a story that he told police in 2010. Jufer told troopers that he was assaulted as he arrived back home and the intruder(s) put something around his neck.
Prosecutors don't buy his story.
They say Robert Jufer used a shotgun to murder his wife while she was in bed and then he made-up the story about being attacked.
They say blood evidence and physical evidence at the scene doesn't match what he told them.
"His story of events that transpired will not be believed by us and we believe we can prove that to a jury if need be down the road," District Attorney Janine Edwards said.
It took investigators 27 months to file charges in this case.
Janine Edwards became district attorney only 12 months ago and said when she came into office some things needed to be followed-up on.
Neighbors are glad prosecutors took their time in order to bring justice.
"They could have jumped the gun -- but how many cases have been blown because of technicalities? They wanted to make sure they had it all together and boy, I'll let you know, they did a great job," neighbor David Seber said.
Leaving court, Robert Jufer said he and his wife had no enemies.
"I have no idea. I think they just surprised," Jufer said. "They certainly surprised me."
As for a motive, prosecutors don't have an exact answer.
"I'm not sure what Mr. Jufer's motivation was but I can tell you for sure, this was a staged crime scene, that Mr. Jufer is the person that committed this homicide and this matter will result in a conviction," Edwards said.
Jufer was denied bail because he is facing criminal homicide charges.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday in Wayne County.
