Randolph man held without bail in Stoughton home invasion slaying

STOUGHTON, Mass. (FOX25, myfoxboston) - A Randolph man accused of killing a 78-year-old man trying to save his wife during a break-in at their Stoughton home has been held without bail.

John M. Rooney, 47, pled not guilty to the following 5 charges: Murder; armed assault to murder a person over age 60; home invasion; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60; armed assault in a dwelling.

Rooney was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the stabbing that left Georgios Kontsas inside of his Stoughton home on Saturday.

Police say Rooney entered the home on Mara Circle through the front door on Saturday morning and attacked 74-year-old Dorthea Kontsas in the foyer. Her husband, Georgios, stepped in to intervene, and that’s when Rooney attacked him, slashing his throat and killing him, police said.

Dorthea Kontsas escaped out the back door and ran to a neighbor’s home to get help. She was taken to the hospital where she is recovering.

Dorothea was able to detail the attack and give police of description of Rooney and his dark green SUV from her hospital bed.

While Dorothea says she didn't know him, police say George and his son Alex did.

Prosecutors say Rooney’s finger prints were found on an empty envelope at the crime scene.

His SUV also matched the description given to police bloodstains were found inside.
“If it wasn’t for the intervention of Mr. Kontsas, in all likelihood his wife would’ve been killed,” said District Attorney William Keating.

Rooney was arrested at his home on William Morris Circle Sunday afternoon. Rooney’s home is six miles away from the Kontsas’ home.

“We don’t have any information that they directly knew the assailant,” said Keating.

Keating said this was not a random crime, but didn’t say why Rooney allegedly attacked the family. Police said evidence found in the Kontsas’ home linked Rooney to the murder.

Rooney works in the heating and air business and is married with an adult son.

The Kontsases have two grown children who do not live in the area. One of the victim's son left court without a word about Rooney or the relationship between them.

Rooney is scheduled to appear in Stoughton District Court for a probable cause hearing on March 29. His defense attorney was John Swomley, of Boston.