EX-BOYFRIEND GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER

 IN DEATH OF NORTH SALEM TEEN

 Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced the conviction of Ariel Menendez, A.K.A. “Carlos”, (DOB 04/17/78) of The Bronx, New York on two counts of Murder in the First Degree, class “A” Felonies and Rape in the First Degree and Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree both class”B” Felonies.

On June 5^th, 2005, in a sport utility vehicle at the Croton Falls Metro-North train station, 27 year old Ariel Menendez raped and sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend, 17 year old Elizabeth Butler, and then stabbed her multiple times and strangled her to death.

Ms. Butler’s body was found a short time later by her parents in the family Nissan Pathfinder, which was parked in the lower lot of the station, near the market where the North Salem High School senior worked.

District Attorney Janet DiFiore said, “On the morning of June 5^th, 2005 the life of a young woman was cut short and many others were changed forever. Although the conviction of this defendant will send him to prison effectively for the rest of his life, the loss that the victim’s family and friends have endured will be with them for the rest of their lives. The professionalism and team work of everyone involved, particularly the Investigators from the New York State Police and the prosecution team from the District Attorney’s office, displayed throughout this case, lead to this conviction. I will seek the maximum penalty allowed by law at the sentencing of this defendant.”           

Sentencing for Menendez will be on July 25, 2006 before Judge Barbara G. Zambelli. He faces a minimum of 20 years to life without parole, in state prison, on the First Degree Murder conviction. 

Perry Perrone, Chief of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Paula Branca-Santos, of the Sex Crimes Bureau, prosecuted the case. 

 ARIEL MENENDEZ