Wayne Kozak, 48, was returned from Erie, Pennsylvania to face charges that he shot and killed his mother, Mary Louise Kozak, on the night April 20, 2017.
Police say after the shooting, Wayne Kozak fled to a hotel in Erie, PA. Pennsylvania State Police located the suspect and were able to take him into custody without incident.
Eden Police working with New York State Police extradited Kozak back to Erie County.
Appearing before Eden Town Justice Michael Cooper, Kozak's court-appointed attorney entered a not-guilty plea to the charge of 2nd Degree Murder.
Justice Cooper then ordered Kozak held in the Erie County Holding Center for further court proceedings and Grand Jury action.
The mother and son shared a home on East Eden Road. Neighbors said the two were quiet and kept to themselves. A motive for the shooting is unknown and prosecutors declined to release more details about the crime while Grand Jury action is pending.
Katie Eschner, a neighbor who knew the victim for 25 years, tells 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly that Mary Kozak was a "sweet, kind lady" who brought her Christmas and Easter gifts as a child. The murder has left Eschner upset and wondering what could have triggered the shooting.
Wayne Kozak is scheduled to return to Eden Town Court on May 2nd for a felony hearing. However, if a Grand Jury indictment is returned, the case will be moved to Erie County Court in Buffalo.
Ed Reilly has more in his reports.
