Murder-for-Hire Charged in Cattauraugus Cold Case

BUFFALO, NY—United States Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced that a criminal Complaint was filed today in United States District Court charging Randall Delbert Knight, 56, of Akron, Ohio, with conspiracy to and commission of murder-for-hire, in connection with an unsolved 1994 homicide in the Town of Yorkshire, Cattauraugus County. The offenses are punishable by a maximum prison term of life, a $250,000 fine, or both.

U.S. Attorney Hochul said that in 2009, a decision was made by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cattauraugus County District Attorney, and the Cattauraugus County Sheriff Office’s cold case squad to reopen the investigation into the July 3, 1994 murder of Andie Gaspar. Mr. Gaspar had been found stabbed to death in his vehicle while parked in a department store parking lot. In 1995, Randy Knight was arrested by authorities and charged with Gaspar’s murder, but was acquitted following a New York State court jury trial.

The Affidavit supporting today’s Complaint alleges that as a result of the reopened investigation, authorities learned that beginning in 1992, Knight discussed killing the victim, the father of three children, with Mr. Gaspar’s wife, Cheryl. Mrs. Gaspar and Knight were involved in a romantic relationship. The two planned to use the death of Andie Gaspar to obtain insurance to purchase a "dream house" in which the two would live, as Mr. Gaspar sat in his vehicle.

The Complaint states that in March of 1994, Knight traveled to Florida in an unsuccessful attempt to kill Mr. Gaspar while on a business trip. On July 3, of that year, Knight traveled from Ohio to New York, met with Cheryl Gasper, and thereafter killed Andie Gaspar by stabbing him in the chest, with the knife penetrating through Mr. Gaspar’s shoulder belt.

United States Attorney Hochul stated, "This charge is the result of the perseverance and dedication of law enforcement officers who refused to give up. While today’s charge does not bring Mr. Gaspar back, it will hopefully provide some closure to Mr. Gaspar’s family.”

A Cattaraugus County Grand Jury charged Cheryl Gaspar with assisting in the murder of Andy Gaspar earlier this week. Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori Reiman stated, “I would just like to credit the joint efforts of the FBI and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department. This will finally represent complete justice for Andie Gasper.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson indicated, “This case is a prime example of how law enforcement will utilize all available resources in the pursuit of justice. Individuals who commit crime need to recognize that just because time passes, no investigation is complete until it is brought to fruition.”

U.S. Attorney Hochul noted that, although Knight’s state court acquittal bars a second prosecution of him in state court, it does not legally bar his being charged with the crime in federal court.

The criminal Complaint was filed as a result of an investigation by special agents of the FBI, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office cold case squad. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony M. Bruce will be conducting the prosecution of the case.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.