Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Ex-Convict Is Accused Of Murdering Couple


January 15, 1986

SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
A ex-convict has been charged with murdering a couple in their apartment above a tavern here, officials said today.
Suffolk County detectives identified the suspect as Anthony Crippen, 26 years old, who lives on the Shinnecock Indian reservation in Southampton.
They said he had known the victims, who apparently surprised him during a burglary of the apartment Jan. 5.
The victims, Thomas Fehmel and his fiancee, Winifred Danz, both 28, were found slumped together, fully clothed, in a bathtub. The apartment is above the Still tavern, which Mr. Fehmel's family owns. He was its manager.
Steven J. Wilutis, the chief trial counsel for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, said that Mr. Crippen had confessed and had waived his right to counsel. He said Mr. Crippen was on parole after serving more than two years for the knifepoint robbery of a Southampton College student in 1981.
Mr. Crippen was arraigned today on two counts of second-degree murder in Southampton Justice Court following his arrest in Queens last night by Suffolk County police. He was ordered held without bail, pending grand-jury action this week.

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