HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office has announced its intent to seek the death penalty against Joseph Schiliro, who is charged with the first-degree murder of a 71-year-old man.
Schiliro and co-defendant Silviano Christman, 31, are accused of murdering and dismembering the victim before burying his remains in a Valrico backyard. Christman is currently in custody in New York and will face first-degree murder charges upon extradition to Hillsborough County.
READ: Lakeland Man Killed After Being Struck By Vehicle On US-92 In Plant City
The victim, who was terminally ill, had hired Schiliro to assist him with errands and daily tasks. Prosecutors allege that Schiliro exploited this position of trust, stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the victim. He then used the stolen funds to bring Christman from New York to assist in the murder.
Evidence presented by the State Attorney’s Office includes surveillance video showing both Schiliro and Christman with the victim at a pizza restaurant hours before his suspected murder. Additionally, video footage shows the two men purchasing items at local hardware stores, including a saw believed to have been used to dismember the victim’s body.
READ: St. Petersburg Police Officer Shoots Armed Suspect After Responding To Shots Fired Call
“I cannot fathom how anyone could commit this heinous act against a defenseless, elderly victim,” stated State Attorney Suzy Lopez. “We believe a jury should decide if this defendant should be sentenced to death for these cruel acts.”
Christman is awaiting extradition to Hillsborough County to face formal charges. The State Attorney’s Office has emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability in the prosecution of this case.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
