Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 88-year-old Martin Turkiewicz of Cheektowaga has been arraigned before Cheektowaga Town Judge Paul S. Piotrowski on the charges of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree. 

It is alleged that on September 9, 2017 at the Garden Gate Heath Care Facility on Union Road, the defendant struck his wife in the head with a hammer, causing serious injuries. 

The victim, 86-year-old Rita Turkiewicz is at ECMC. 

The defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded to jail without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 8: 30 a.m. at Cheektowaga Town Court. 

If convicted of the charges, the defendant faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. 

DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department for its investigative work, including Lt. Kenneth Rusin and Detectives Terence Griffin and James Jenson. 

Chief Colleen Curtin Gable of the DA’s Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case. 

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.