Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 61-year-old Frank J. Litterio of Elma was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony).
It is alleged that on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at approximately 5:04 p.m., the Erie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on the 1800 block of West Blood Road in the Town of Elma. Deputies found the victim, 62-year-old Jill Harris, deceased inside of the home. The defendant was taken by ambulance to ECMC with suspected self-inflicted wounds.
The defendant is accused of intentionally causing the death of his intimate partner by shooting her with a crossbow while inside the living room of their shared home.
Litterio is scheduled to return on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to be held without bail.
If convicted of the charge, Litterio faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Gary W. Hackbush of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alicia M. Lilley of the Community Prosecution and Training Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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