Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 88-year-old Martin Turkiewicz of Cheektowaga has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to six months in jail plus five years of probation.

In November 2017, the defendant pleaded guilty to Assault in the Second Degree. Turkiewicz was charged following an incident on September 9, 2017 at the Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga after the defendant struck his wife in the head with a hammer several times, causing serious injuries.

The victim, 87-year-old Rita Turkiewicz has recovered from her injuries, and remains a resident at Garden Gate Health Care Facility.

The defendant was issued an order of protection, but will be permitted to have supervised visits with his wife.

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

Assistant District Attorney Danielle D’Abate prosecuted the case.