Superior Court upholds guilty verdict in murder trial

MILFORD - The Pike County District Attorney’s Office has announced that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has upheld the conviction and life sentence imposed upon Emanuel Fragoso, of Elizabeth New Jersey, for the charges of first degree murder, third degree murder, and related firearms charges. Fragoso was convicted in Pike County Court last April for the slaying of Antonio Magalhaes on Route 209 in Dingman Township in June of 2004. According to First Assistant District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin, Fragoso challenged the statements he gave to the Pennsylvania State Police during their investigation. Fragoso claimed that he was not given his Miranda Rights in a timely fashion, that when given his rights he did not understand them, and that his arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Alan B. Cooper was unnecessarily delayed. The Pennsylvania Superior Court conducted a careful review of Fragoso’s claims. After their review, the Superior Court found Fragoso’s claims lacking any merit, and upheld Fragoso’s life sentence. Tonkin, who prosecuted Fragoso with Assistant District Attorney Bruce Desarro at trial in Pike County Court, and represented the Commonwealth during the appeal, was extremely happy with the court’s decision. Tonkin said, “The court’s decision today reaffirms the investigative measures taken by the Pennsylvania State Police, the decision of the jury, and the life sentence imposed upon Fragoso by Pike County President Judge Joseph Kameen.” Fragoso may request the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to review the decision by the Superior Court.