Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a jury has found 53-year-old Jose Ruiz, Jr. of Town of Tonawanda guilty, as charged, of one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony). The jury rendered their decision this afternoon after one hour of deliberations following a 3 ½ day trial.  

The defendant intentionally caused the death of his wife, 59-year-old Mavilie Ruiz, by strangling her with his hands following an argument inside of their home on Tillotson Place in the Town of Tonawanda on December 9, 2019.

Ruiz faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. He continues to remain held without bail.  

DA Flynn commends Lt. Thomas Falzone, Lt. Gary Reinhart, Officer Christopher Hoffman, and Det. Frank DiRenzo of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief John P. Feroleto and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the Major Crimes Unit.