Prosecutors in Wyoming County say a town board member and retired sheriff's sergeant was living a double life and killed to bury allegations he was a sexual predator of young men.
Court papers say Joseph Mlyniec, 60, of rural Perry, shot Robert Irvine III to keep him from cooperating with a rape investigation. Deputies who arrested him March 7 say he told them he shot Irvine in the head and "my life is done."
Mlyniec has been indicted and has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. Lawyer Norman Effman said Mlyniec lived an exemplary life and was well respected in the community.
Effman said the case will look at Mlyniec's intent, state of mind and other elements that will determine the level of homicide of which he could be convicted.
