Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsch announced that a 19-count indictment has been filed against Emerson John Tohafjian, 48, of 1470 Route 336, in Varick.
Tohafjian has been indicted on four counts of murder in the first degree, four counts of assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, three counts of burglary in the first degree, tampering with a witness in the first degree, intimidating a victim or witness in the first degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and three counts of criminal contempt in the first degree.
All counts are felonies, according to Porsch.
The indictment alleges that Tohafjian unlawfully entered a dwelling in violation of three orders of protection, caused the death of two individuals and injury to a third individual by means of a deadly weapon.
The indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the New York State Police, Waterloo Police Department and Seneca County District Attorney’s Office.
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and Seneca Falls Police Department assisted in the investigation.
On Friday, Tohajfian asked the judge to postpone his arraignment in order to secure a private lawyer. The judge agreed, adjourning it until August 6.
When asked if he wanted to say anything, Tohajfian said no because “the court system is a joke.”
He will remain in the Seneca County Jail without bail.
Emerson “John” Tohafjian arrives at Seneca County Court to be arraigned on murder charges. Police say he ambushed his ex-girlfriend and her friends. Killing two people and injuring a third. @news10nbc pic.twitter.com/cLFpDjN1ON
— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) July 20, 2018
