Man accused of killing a Brighton businessman found guilty on all counts

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WHEC) — Christopher Wernle, the Irondequoit man accused of killing a Brighton businessman last year, was found guilty on all counts on Friday.

Wernle was charged with murder in the second degree and tampering with evidence. It took the jury just an hour and a half to return a decision after deliberations began Friday morning.

Wernle was on trial for the murder of Edward "Ted" Boucher. He chose not to testify on his own behalf.

Boucher was found dead under the porch of Wernle’s home near Helendale Road in Irondequoit on May 15, 2021.

"There was overwhelming evidence of the defendant’s guilt and I think that was shown by how quickly the jury returned their verdict," said Special Prosecutor James Nobles. "They were out about an hour and a half, they didn’t ask to see any of the evidence, didn’t ask for any read back, didn’t ask for any instructions, so they had a verdict and here we are."

Wernle faces up to 25 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for June 14.