State Attorney Suzy Lopez is seeking the death penalty for a man who murdered and dismembered an elderly Central Florida victim.
The State Attorney’s office filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against defendant Joseph Schiliro, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 71-year-old man. He and 31-year-old codefendant Silviano Christman are charged with killing and dismembering the victim before burying the remains in a Valrico backyard near Tampa.
Christman will not be officially charged with the crime until he is extradited back to Hillsborough County from New York, where he is currently held behind bars.
Prior to the murder, the victim hired Schiliro to help him run errands and complete daily tasks due to the victim’s advanced terminal illness. Schiliro stole tens of thousands of dollars from the victim and used that money to fly Christman down from New York to assist in the murder. Surveillance video shows both men with the victim at a pizza restaurant hours before investigators believe he was killed.
Video also shows Schiliro and Christman making purchases at several local hardware stores including the saw that was used to dismember the victim’s body.
“I cannot fathom how anyone could commit this heinous act against a defenseless, elderly victim. We believe a jury should decide if this defendant should be sentenced to death for these cruel acts,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Christman is set to be extradited to Hillsborough County to face first-degree murder charges.
Two people were arrested in connection with the Central Florida homicide investigation which began as a missing person case of a 71-year-old adult by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
