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Suspect used ruse to get inside Stoughton home, attack elderly couple

E-mail|Link March 1, 2010 01:55 PM

John Rooney Arraignment.jpg

John M. Rooney stood behind his attorney, John Swomley, during his arraignment in Stoughton District Court. (Robert E. Klein for the Boston Globe)

By Milton J. Valencia and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

STOUGHTON – The Randolph man charged with killing a 78-year-old man this weekend and seriously injuring his wife was an acquaintance of the victims' son, a prosecutor said in court today.

And John M. Rooney allegedly used that connection to talk his way into the foyer of the victims' home last Saturday where he allegedly started stabbing 74-year-old Dorothea Kontsas while demanding cash, Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Brian Wilson said.

" 'Give me the money!' '' Rooney demanded of the woman, according to Wilson. " 'Give me the money.' ''

Alerted by the sound of the struggle, Georgios Kontsas rushed downstairs, managed to drive Rooney away from his wife, but was then fatally wounded when he was stabbed multiple times with a 12 inch knife, Wilson said in Stoughton District Court.

Dorothea Kontsas managed to make her way to a neighbor's house where she summoned help. Wilson said Dorothea Kontsas was stabbed and slashed in the throat.

Wilson said that Rooney was known to both Georgios Kontsas and his son, Alex, but he did not explain what the connection was.

Alex Kontsas was in Stoughton District Court today when Rooney was arraigned, but declined to speak with reporters after the court proceedings.

The Kontsas family currently own and operate Alex’s Pizza in Andrew Square in South Boston where Georgios Kontsas worked at least one day a week, even though he was retired.

Rooney, 46 and a resident of William Morrison Drive, pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and other charges and was ordered held without bail. Rooney's attorney, John Swomley of Boston, did not challenge the request by the prosecution.

In court, Wilson provided more details about the killing that shocked the South Shore town. He said that when Rooney first knocked on the door of the Kontsas home on Mara Circle around 10 a.m. on Saturday, he was holding a large envelope Rooney said was for Alex.

Once he was allowed inside by Dorothea Kontsas, Rooney launched his attack, Wilson said. After allegedly killing Georgios Kontsas, Rooney ran outside and climbed into a green SUV that police later found parked at Rooney's home in Randolph, with blood stains in the interior, Wilson said.

Police later learned the envelope was empty, but for two smaller envelopes that were apparently used by Rooney to make it appear there was important paperwork inside it.

Wilson said Dorothea Kontsas told police about seeing a green SUV in the neighborhood before the attack.

Rooney is due back in court March 29.