FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Milford, CT) – Margaret E. Kelley, Ansonia/Milford State’s Attorney, announced that the Honorable Peter L. Brown sentenced Peter Manfredonia, age 26, of Newtown, to 55 years in prison.
Manfredonia was sentenced for the fatal shooting of Nicholas John Eisele, 23, and the kidnapping of Mr. Eisele’s girlfriend, Shannon Spies, in Derby on May 24, 2020. Court records show Manfredonia fled Connecticut with Ms. Spies and held her captive at gunpoint for more than seven hours before authorities found her unharmed at a rest stop in New Jersey. Local, state and federal authorities searched for Manfredonia before arresting him in Maryland on May 27, 2020.
Manfredonia pleaded guilty in Milford Superior Court on February 16, 2023 to Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Section § 53a-54a, and Kidnapping in the First Degree with a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Section § 53a-92a.
“This was a horrific crime that shattered so many lives,” State’s Attorney Kelley said. “The pain and anguish suffered by Ms. Spies and the family of Nicholas John Eisele is unfathomable. His family and Ms. Spies worked thoughtfully with the state to achieve this disposition."
State’s Attorney Kelley would like to thank Inspector Patrick Dooling, Connecticut State Police Detective Brian Connolly and Victim Advocates Jennie Abutu and Ramika Fountain.
On February 8, 2023, Manfredonia pleaded pleaded guilty in Rockville Superior Court to Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Section § 53a-54a, Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Section § 53a-59(a) and Home Invasion in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Section § 53a-100(a)(a). Those charges stem from the May 22, 2020 killing of Theodore DeMers, 62, the wounding of an elderly Willington man, and a home invasion in Willington in which Manfredonia held the homeowner hostage for 24 hours before fleeing with the man’s truck and firearms to Mr. Eisele’s home in Derby.
Manfredonia faces a total effective sentence of 55 years in prison when he is sentenced in Rockville Superior Court on April 20, 2023. That case is being prosecuted by Tolland State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky.
The two prison sentences are to run concurrently.