Tioga County Grand Jury has handed up murder indictments against Curtis Cuttino and Michael McVicker in a deadly home invasion May 9 in Apalachin. Cuttino, age 40 of York, Pa., was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and other felonies. McVicker, age 46 of York, Pa., was indicted for second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and other felonies. Brian A. Argro was found dead inside the home.
Cuttino and McVicker were originally charged only with second-degree murder, which carries a 25 year to life sentence, if convicted. A first-degree murder conviction results in life in prison. The men are behind bars in the Tioga County jail. Police have not released details of a motive, but did say Argro was targeted.
Original Report
State troopers were dispatched by Tioga County 911 to a residence at 5 Dorothy Road, a residential neighborhood near Tioga Elementary School, at approximately 5:55 a.m., May 9 for a shooting. When troopers arrived, they found Brian A. Argro, age 32, deceased in the front of the residence. Argro was renting the home. A 20-year-old female acquaintance of Argro’s in the house at the time was not harmed. The female was able to describe to troopers that two men came to the house, banged on the door and were let in the residence by the victim and a struggle ensued.
Shots were fired inside the home, which ultimately led to the death of Argro and the suspects fled on foot. The female was able to give New York State Police a description of the men, which was put out to troopers in the area, Tioga County Sheriff’s Deputies and other law enforcement in the area.
At approximately 6:25 a.m. Thursday, Tioga County sheriff’s deputies located Cuttino on State Route 434, detained him and turned him over to New York State Police. A short time later, New York State Police Investigators received a call from the Vestal Police Department who had information about a possible location of the second subject, who matched the description provided by the female.
An investigation led to the bus station in Binghamton where Investigators learned that the second suspect had boarded a bus to Monticello. At approximately 10:25 a.m. Thursday, State Police in Troop F and the Monticello Police Department arrested McVicker and brought back to Binghamton.
The Troop C Forensic Identification Unit processed the scene at 5 Dorothy Road. The Tioga County District Attorney, Kirk Martin was on scene throughout the day and after consultation, both suspects were charged with murder in the second degree. Both suspects were remanded to the Tioga County jail on no bail.
