Hunt on for defense witness in murder trial

Erik Destefano (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police are asking for the public's help trying to make contact with a man with a long string of arrests who could be a key defense witness in the Aaron Wilkinson murder trial now in its final days at Strafford County Superior Court.

Erik Destefano, 29, of Rochester, is wanted on a bench warrant after failing to show up for a court hearing, but that warrant could have been brought by the court in an attempt to secure a witness's testimony, Rochester Police Capt. Gary Boudreau said this morning, adding it also could have been executed by New Hampshire Probation and Parole.

Destefano was a cellmate of Michael Tatum, of Barrington, who along with Zachary "D.J." Pinette and Tristan Wolusky, of Rochester, are accused of fatally stabbing the 18-year old Wilkinson in the driveway of his Madbury home early in the morning hours of June 21, 2014.

Tatum and Pinette have already pleaded guilty to second degree murder and face 30 years to life sentences.

Wolusky, 19, of 46 Lowell St., meanwhile, is facing the possibility of life without parole if convicted of first degree murder.

Pinette's and Tatum's plea deals are in exchange for their testimony against Wolusky,

Destefano is one of just three witnesses for the defense, who will also call an expert witness and Wolusky's mother.

According to Boudreau, Destefano has a long history with Rochester Police dating back to 2003, including several willful concealments, simple assault, receiving stolen property and theft.

Rochester Police outreached on Destefano's whereabouts on its Facebook page Oct. 9 and while the post has drawn several tips, none have panned out, Boudreau said.