Town of Tonawanda Man Receives the Maximum Sentence for the Murder of His Wife

Modified: March 14, 2022 2:41pm

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3/14/2022

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 53-year-old Jose Ruiz, Jr. of Town of Tonawanda was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to 25 years to life in prison.

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

A jury found Ruiz guilty, as charged, of one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony) on February 4, 2022. The jury rendered their decision after one hour of deliberations following a 3 ½ day trial.  

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.