Man convicted of murdering a wealthy family and housekeeper, DC



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A man from Maryland was convicted on Thursday of the brutal brutal murder of a 2015 major Washington DC family and their governess, confirmed PEOPLE.

Daron Wint, 37, was convicted of several counts of first degree murder while he was armed, kidnapped, robbed, extorted, stolen and burned. criminal in savage murders Savvas Savopoulos, 46-year-old businessman, and his wife Amy Savopoulos, 47 years old. their son, Philip, 10, and the family's cleaning lady, Veralicia "Vera" Figueroa, 57 years old.

The four men were found linked, tortured and murdered at Savopoulos' residence in Washington, DC, on May 14. Prosecutors claimed that Wint, who had previously worked for the American Savvas company in Savvas, had desperately broken and killed the family and cleaning lady out of greed.

The verdict was delivered on the third day of the Superior Court of Justice's deliberations after approximately six weeks of testimony during which the prosecutors called more than 60 witnesses.

"Today 's verdict holds Daron Wint responsible for the murders of four innocent people, including a ten – year – old child, in cold blood, in a senseless home invasion that resulted in the death of four. fire at the crime scene, "said US lawyer Jessie K. Liu in a press release obtained by PEOPLE. "We hope the verdict will bring some comfort to the families of the victims."

Philip Savopoulos

Philip Savopoulos

Facebook

During the trial, prosecutors said that, on the morning of May 13, a desperate Wint broke into the Savopoulos and had first overpowered Figueroa and Philip, 10, who had stayed at home. because he was sick and then Amy she was going home after taking a coffee, according to the Washington Post.

Prosecutors alleged that once captive, Wint had forced Amy to call her husband and lure her home. The four men were killed the next day, shortly after handing $ 40,000 in cash to their home in upscale Woodley Park by the Savvas assistant. According to the Post, they were beaten with baseball hats, stabbed, then gasoline was poured and burned.

"There were no more options left," US lawyer Laura Bach told the jury in final argument, according to the Post. "He did that. He killed those people. Now you hold him responsible. Hold him accountable for what he did. "

After the murder, Wint, who had been arrested several times for possession of concealed weapons, robbery, harassment and violation of a protective order, conducted a series of searches on the Internet to find out how to pass a test of lie detector, 10 locating cities for fugitives, and five countries without an American extradition treaty, prosecutors said.

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Wint was arrested on May 21, 2015 after the investigators discovered his DNA on a pizza crust inside Savopoulos' home. He ordered food to be delivered while the family was in captivity.

During the trial, Judith Pipe and Jeffrey Stein, Wint's public advocates, claimed that it had nothing to do with the murders and accused Wint's brother and half-brother of "murdering" them. to be responsible for the death, according to the newspaper.

Wint, who testified for his own defense, claimed that he had gone to the Savopoulos' home for a drywall and painting job installed by his half-brother Darrell, but that he went away when he learned that Darrell wanted to rob the place, the post. reports. He said that he had eaten a piece of pizza during his stay, according to the newspaper.

The defense tried to argue that it was his other brother, Steffon Wint, who had murdered the family.

Veralicia "Vera" Figueroa

Veralicia "Vera" Figueroa

At the time of the killings, Savvas and Amy Savopoulos had three children: Abigail, 19, Katerina, 16, and Philip, 10.

In a moving tribute published in the Washington PostSavvas is remembered for his love of martial arts, which led him to build a Japanese-style center dedicated to teaching his lifelong passion. "This center, which has recently opened, includes approximately 2,000 square feet of carpet space, two bookcases, a kitchen, dormitories and other amenities where resident students can excel in their practice. martial arts, "we read in obituary.

Savvas was also "a world traveler, a prolific photographer and a motor boat enthusiast".

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During this time, Amy grew up in a military family "learning to become a citizen of the world and to acquire important values ​​that were reflected in her remarkable life as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor and member. committed community. "

According to the obit, she was a devoted wife of Savopoulos: "This love was represented by their daughters Abigail, Katerina and their son Philip.

An active volunteer at her children's school, she was "known for her generous and selfless nature."

Daron Wint

Daron Wint

County Sheriff's Department of Oswego

At just 10 years old, Philip knew that he wanted to be a racing driver. "Philip's real passion was racing and going fast. He aspired to become a professional Formula 1 racing driver and was part of the Prart North America Karting racing team, "said Obit.

Figueroa, originally from El Salvador, has been described by his friends and family as a dedicated person to his children.

According to a GoFundMe page created to raise funds for her funeral, Figueroa had planned to retire as a housekeeper the following year.

The Savopoulos were also very close.

"Savvas was very involved with the kids," said PEOPLE Manny Hodak, a brother of the Savvas brotherhood who later worked with him at American Iron Works. "Very convenient. He lived for his children. The girls are very nice and love to have fun. Philip was a very bright child. He had a beautiful smile.

"They were both driven by their children and their families," family friend Jami Fireman told PEOPLE. "It was a priority for them. They were an integral part of the community and were always ready to help. "

Wint should be sentenced on February 1, 2019. He faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Wint's public defender Judith Pipe declined to comment on the verdict.

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