Jonathan Rivaldo, a 29-year-old man charged with raping and killing a 90-year-old woman in Corning last month, allegedly broke into Dayspring Apartments at about 2 a.m. by climbing in an apartment window.
Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker said Rivaldo broke into a first-floor apartment, then broke into another nearby apartment before entering the victim’s apartment.
“At about 4 a.m. July 13, the Corning Police Department responded to Dayspring One Apartments for a third-party call,” Corning Police Chief Kenzie Spaulding said at a press conference Aug. 3. “Police were able to quickly identify Rivaldo as the suspect through interviews with Dayspring residents.”
Spaulding said a short time later it was determined that Rivaldo was in the Village of Bath. He received a ride from Corning to the Department of Social Services, in Bath, in the early morning hours of July 13.
“Rivaldo was located in Bath, where he voluntarily returned to the Corning Police Department,” Spaulding said. “At that point he had admitted to being in the victim’s apartment and made several other verbal admissions.”
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she died on July 20.
Rivaldo is charged with second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree burglary, one count of tampering with physical evidence, and one count of second-degree intimidating a victim. He is currently held in the Steuben County Jail without bail.
Baker said Rivaldo will reappear in Steuben County Court at 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 11 to answer to the charges. Rivaldo’s attorney will be Terry Baxter, a Steuben County Public Defender.
“This was really some amazing police work in this case,” Baker said. “This is one of the most disturbing and tragic events I’ve had the misfortune to be involved with, and the Corning Police Department was amazing.”
Baker said the Corning PD utilized every possible law enforcement technique in locating Rivaldo within about five hours of responding to the scene.
“Police used interviews with witnesses, utilizing apartment cameras, really everything possible to bring Rivaldo to justice incredibly quickly,” Baker said. “With the evidence they developed on the scene and thereafter we were able to get this case to the Steuben County Grand Jury and in about a week, which is very unusual.”
Baker called the victim brave.
“The statements that she was able to make to the police and the incredible accuracy identified the perpetrator were key in moving this case forward,” Baker said. “It’s just absolutely tragic that she had to lose her life in this way. She deserved far better than that.”
Spaulding said the victim’s family has been incredibly supportive of the police.
“The victim was very brave, very strong,” Spaulding said. “It’s really a testament to just an amazing woman, she was able to help us further this case. We’re proud of the work of our Corning Police Department. Our job every day is to try to take people that commit crimes off the street.”
Baker thanked Corning Police Investigator Zackary Alger and Captain Carter Payne for their “amazing work.”
“They went above and beyond to put this case together, no details missed and made an arrest within four hours of being on the case,” Baker said. “The arrest was based upon solid evidence and credible investigation to keep our community safe from a real predator.”
Rivaldo was released from New York State Prison on July 10, less than seven days before the incident, after serving more than three years in prison for attempted aggravated vehicular assault in Monroe County.
“He’s been in prison for the better part of the past 12 years for nonviolent offenses,” Baker said. “He has no prior sex crimes.”
The identity of the victim is still being withheld. No additional information will be released at this time in order to protect the victim’s privacy and the integrity of the ongoing investigation, officials said.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: DA, Corning police offer new details in rape, murder of 90-year-old
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Corning Leader / The Leader
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Smith, Corning Leader | USA TODAY Network
