90-year-old suspected murderer in court

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - He's 90-years-old and charged with murdering his wife. John Bunz made his first appearance in court, but he didn't go willingly.

John Bunz did add an element of suspense to the proceeding by refusing to leave his cell at the Erie County Holding Center. Eventually a judge ordered Bunz's removal, delaying his court appearance by two hours.

Court officers assisted 90-year-old John Bunz as he shuffled his way into Amherst Town Court using a walker and bearing two black eyes and bruises on his neck. Bunz is charged with second degree murder in the death of his wife of 67 years, Virginia. Police found the couple in their apartment at the Amberleigh Retirement Village, in Amherst, Sunday morning.

Capt. Enzio Villalta of the Amherst Police said, "Upon arrival, officers found a woman, Virginia Bunz, deceased in the apartment. Her husband, John, was there suffering from self-inflicted wounds."

Until now, authorities were not saying how Virginia Bunz was killed, but court papers now indicate she died of blunt force trauma and suffocation. It's a violent death that seems inconsistent with the way so many people described the bride and groom of 67 years.

Amberleigh Executive Director Frank Miosi said, "They would say, "hello," every time they came by, go to dinner, breakfast, lunch, whatever. If they passed them down the hallways, they would always give you a nod."

In a brief appearance before Judge Geoffrey Klein, John Bunz waived his felony hearing and returned to the Erie County Holding Center. Authorities reported John Bunz was found with self-inflicted wounds and he is under a suicide watch at the Erie County Holding Center.