Man arraigned for deadly stabbing of 72-year-old man on Kohlman Street

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A Rochester man was arraigned Thursday morning on second degree murder charges in connection with a homicide on Kohlman Street.

Police found 72-year-old Jesus Pratts on Feb. 17 dead, with multiple stab wounds, inside his home when they were responding to a welfare check request made by his family after they hadn’t heard from Pratts for several days.

As they investigated, they determined that Pratts was stabbed to death on Feb. 10 inside the home, where he lived alone. Court paperwork indicates Pratts had been stabbed more than 50 times.

On Wednesday afternoon, Major Crimes investigators arrested 48-year-old Antonio Muniz-Aviles in the City of Rochester and charged him with second degree murder. Police say Muniz-Aviles and Pratts were acquaintances, but would not elaborate on the motive at this time.

Muniz-Aviles pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday.

Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles said the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office has been in touch with the victim’s family.

"They seem obviously sad and glad that this is underway and glad the investigation is completed and somebody was brought to court to be arraigned on these charges," Duckles said. "We’ll be in touch with them over the next couple of days."

No bail was set for Muniz-Aviles. He’s scheduled to be back in court next Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.