There were more outbursts in court Thursday from the woman accused of muder at the Skyline apartments during her arraignment on a murder by torture and eight other charges for the killing of 93-year-old Connie Tuori in February.
After Victoria Afet’s attorneys entered a plea of not guilty on all charges, Afet spoke up while Judge Matthew Doran was addressing the court.
“Judge, my lawyers aren’t doing what I want. I want to plead guilty. I want to hear my offers now,” said Afet.
Afet’s attorney, Susan Carey, told the court Afet only said that because she is confined to the same cell 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and thinks she will be moved to a place less restrictive if she pleads guilty.
The defense claims it is pre-mature to enter a guilty plea without seeing all evidence, emphasizing Afet is innocent until proven guilty.
Doran responded and said he can’t interfere with the Justice Center and sheriff’s operations at the jail, and that if they want to file a complaint, they need to do that separately.
Doran denied Afet's impromtu attempt to plead guilty.
The not guilty plea on the nine counts Afet faces will stay on the record.
Both the victim's family and the accused’s family were all in court Thursday.
The indictment charges Afet with first-degree murder, punishable by life in prison without parole. The first-degree murder charge is for allegedly intentionally causing the death of Tuori and acting in an especially cruel and wanton manner. Prosecutors allege Afet stuffed items into Tuori’s mouth and throat, and stabbed her.
Afet also faces second-degree murder charges, as well as charges for burglary, weapons possession and for allegedly dragging Tuori’s body to a bedroom to conceal it after the murder.
There will be a pre-trial conference and discovery hearing on June 28.
Afet remains held at the Onondaga County Justice Center on no bail.