The brother and mother of a man accused of kidnapping and murdering a woman found dead in his car made an appearance in court Monday for related charges.
Connor Stefano and Jacqueline Stefano have been accused of helping Benjamin Wilkins cover up the murder of Jacqueline Goodwin, who was found in Wilkins’ vehicle after he crashed it into a utility pole on June 27. Both Stefanos face charges of first-degree hindering the prosecution. Connor Stefano was also charged with tampering with physical evidence, and Jacqueline Stefano with fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.
Police said in charging documents against the three suspects that Connor Stefano likely assisted Wilkins in removing Goodwin’s body from their family’s home. He admitted to trying to clean up blood in the basement area of the home, where police found evidence that Goodwin had been tortured and shot.
Jacqueline Stefano told police she had heard Wilkins and a female voice arguing, and that the female had sounded “distressed.” But rather than calling police, she called Connor Stefano and told him to “deal with it,” charging documents state.
Connor Stefano was arraigned on June 30 and posted bail on July 7, online court records show. Jacqueline Stefano paid her bail the same day she was arrested.
Both were in the courtroom gallery for Monday’s hearing, along with some of their other family members. Neither spoke at the hearing, but their lawyer entered a not guilty plea to all charges on their behalf.
A pretrial conference with Judge Kevin Saxby has been scheduled for Aug. 15 at 2:30 p.m.
