Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 50-year-old Jose Ruiz, Jr. of Town of Tonawanda has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-1” felony.

It is alleged that on Monday, December 9, 2019, the defendant caused the death of his wife, 59-year-old Mavilie Ruiz, by strangling her at their home on Tillotson Place in the Town of Tonawanda.

Ruiz is scheduled to return on February 28, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a motion argument. He remains held without bail.

If convicted on the charge, Ruiz faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief John P. Feroleto of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Stephen C. Earnhart of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.