BATAVIA, N.Y. — We know charges have been filed against two suspects in connection with the weekend death of a Genesee County Sheriff's Office deputy. But there are still many questions about the circumstances around that fatal encounter.
On Wednesday, for the first time, police and the district attorney spoke directly to reporters about their investigation.
Outside the Genesee County Sheriff's Office headquarters in the Town of Batavia, people are placing tributes. U.S. flags and more flowers are being placed on a patrol car as a memorial to Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.
Sanfratello died following what investigators call a "very violent" resisting arrest encounter from "physically combative" suspects, identified as 33-year-old Michael J. Elmore and his girlfriend, 39-year-old Lyndsey Jean Wilcox.
Elmore was in Batavia Town Court on Tuesday to plead not guilty to manslaughter and aggravated assault on a police officer charges. Wilcox was also in court to face an assault charge.
2 On Your Side asked Genesee County District Attorney Kevin Finnell if additional or upgraded charges could be filed against Elmore and Wilcox.
"A grand jury will certainly review the evidence," Finnell said. "The evidence is not in. We have the investigation, as you just heard, is ongoing. Until the investigation is concluded, we cannot predict what additional charges, if any, might be filed in connection with this case."
Batavia Police, which is the lead agency on the case, indicate it was a two to three-minute encounter in which Elmore is said to have used a necklace or a thick rope metal chain, which is described as a "weapon" in court documents.
Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said his detectives have determined that "during the altercation you can see one of the defendants, the male defendant, remove a large piece of jewelry from around his neck, (a) chain or a medal thick rope that was used during the struggle."
Finnell was asked further about the link between the suspects' alleged actions and the collapse of the 54-year-old deputy who became "unresponsive." CPR and other life saving attempts were unfortunately unsuccessful.
"That's certainly going to be significantly answered once we get an autopsy report. We can't really address at this point the mechanics of the death," Finnell said.
That autopsy is being handled by the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office in Rochester.
Chief Heubusch said Sgt. Sanfratello did try to use a Taser to subdue Elmore.
"We feel it did strike the male defendant, but it was not effective, unfortunately," Heubusch said.
Ian Sanfratello, who is a Genesee County Jail Corrections Officer and the son of the fallen deputy, also spoke Tuesday about his pride and love for his father.
"I want everybody to know my dad was one of a kind," he said. "An amazing dad, son, brother, and co-worker. He loved my sisters Lexi and Kyla with all of his heart, and loved to spend time with us.
"I know we will always cherish the memories we have with him. He will never be forgotten, and he will be missed immensely by all who had the chance to not only know him but talk to him, and he will always be loved."
But he also added another comment in response to a statement on Tuesday from the mother of Lyndsey Jean Wilcox. Jean Cook told reporters at the court about alleged harassment of their family.
"She has children. They are not being kind to her kids. They are threatening her children."
Ian Sanfratello said on Wednesday: "I know my father would not want any threats of any kind being made to the family of the suspects or the suspects themselves. He would know justice will be served in the correct way."