Charges Filed in 2010 Wayne County Homicide
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: February 6, 2013
Cherry Ridge Township, Wayne County - After more than two years of investigation, state police filed criminal homicide charges Wednesday in the shooting death of a woman in Cherry Ridge Township.
Troopers charged Robert Jufer with killing his wife in 2010.
The Wayne County District Attorney called the 71-year-old a "survivalist" who committed a "despicable" crime against his helpless wife.
It has been 27 months since June Jufer was found shot to death, in her bed, inside her home on White Mills Road.
Kathy Pietraszewski lives right across the street and credits troopers for a lot of hard work.
"When it first happened there were a lot of people coming to the door asking questions and they said, we think it's this but we have to make sure," Pietraszewski said. "They took their time and that's the way it works."
In the days after the shooting, more than 100 guns were removed from the couple's home. They all belonged to Robert Jufer. Police say he used a shotgun to kill his wife.
"Who knows what goes through people's minds," neighbor Pat Nelson said. "You just hope and pray that everything comes out and justice is done."
Police say they didn't buy Robert Jufer's story from the beginning.
Jufer told police as he returned home from the store he was attacked from behind, choked with a rope and knocked unconscious.
Detectives say he had no marks on his neck and there was no physical evidence at the scene to support his story.
"I'm glad that they don't give up on trying to find out what happened and hopefully they'll come up with the truth. That's all you can hope for," Nelson said.
Neighbors say even though this investigation has taken 27 months, they're glad there is no longer a killer on the streets.
"There's relief. I mean, after a while, you go about your business but it's always on your mind a little bit and people ask periodically. It's a small community and we're pretty close-knit," Pietraszewski said.
Robert Jufer was taken into custody at a home in Westchester County, New York Wednesday morning. He is expected in court for an extradition hearing and is expected to be brought back to Wayne County to face charges.
