Man admits role in 2002 beating death

SLOAN, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Cheektowaga man now admits to his role in a seven-year-old homicide.

The father of 24-year-old Samuel Ciapa says, after seven long years he can rest easier now knowing someone has admitted to killing his son.

Gary Ciapa, Samuel's father, was asked "Did you ever think this day would come?"

Gary said, "At one point we didn't. Until Capt. Zack came aboard. And he really put it together."

Thirty-year-old Michael Hesse, formerly of Ellen Drive in Cheektowaga, pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to manslaughter in the first degree.

Cheektowaga Police say he confessed to playing a part in the beating death of Ciapa at the Sloan Reservoir back in 2002.

Authorities say Hesse was in jail on another matter when the approached him about Ciapa's death, but they aren't giving many details about how they just now tracked Hesse down.

Captain David Zack said, "As these things go, there's a little bit of luck, there's a lot of hard work. New witnesses come forward. New evidence gets obtained."

Since Ciapa's death, Hesse has apparently been working construction and raising a son. Authorities aren't saying what prompted him to kill Ciapa so many years ago, but his attorney says he is remorseful and he showed his emotions in court.

"Police did say that he had a conscience when they talked to me about it. So I think that's probably why. It's a regrettable incident, it's sad for everybody and it's sad for Michael, too," said Frank Buffomante, Hesse's attorney.

A manslaughter 1 conviction could have landed Hesse behind bars for 25 years. But under this plea deal, he agreed to serve anywhere from 15 to 20 years, with five years post release supervision. His formal sentencing will be at the end of February.