Lawyers defending Vt. man charged in 2021 murder ask judge to suppress confession video

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – It’s been nearly three years since prosecutors say Joseph Ferlazzo murdered his wife Emily and allegedly dismembered her body during an anniversary trip in their camper van. Ferlazzo appeared in court Friday and for the first time, video was played of a confession he made to investigators.

“I just like got up and grabbed it and shot her,” Ferlazzo said in a video confession to police days after the killing.

It’s this interview that Ferlazzo’s defense team is trying to keep away from a jury. During questioning by investigators, Ferlazzo appears to become emotional, and police say, admits to the crime.

Joseph Ferlazzo: I don’t ever want to do that again. You’re going to take me somewhere, right?

Investigator: What’s that?

Joseph Ferlazzo: You’re going to take me somewhere so I can’t do that again?

Investigator: We’ll get there, yeah.

In October of 2021, the couple left New Hampshire to spend their one-year wedding anniversary in Vermont. Following an argument, Ferlazzo told police he shot his wife twice and dismembered her body, leaving her in the bathroom of the camper. Police later found the camper in St. Albans.

On Friday, the courtroom was filled with members of Emily’s family, wearing her favorite color, red, and pins with her picture. “It’s been slow and frustrating. We’re glad things are finally moving but we want it to be done, because we are not healing and this is just incredibly painful and drawn out.,” said David Bass, Emily’s stepfather.

Other family members say anxiety has been high and unsettling reminders of Joseph stick with the family. “We all wish we could have Emily back. We don’t want her forgotten. Hearing the confessions and him trying to justify why he did it is just disturbing,” said Kathi Echelberger, a family friend.

Prosecutors expect the judge to make his decision on whether to suppress the video in the next couple of weeks.