The two men accused of kidnapping and torturing an Italian businessman pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the horrific crimes that reportedly unfolded in a SoHo townhouse last month.
John Woeltz and William Duplessie appeared before a judge on June 11 after being indicted in the Supreme Court on torture charges. The pair stands accused of torturing their unnamed victim in order to obtain his cryptocurrency password.
According to ADA Sarah Khan, the victim suffered unimaginable abuse, including being pistol-whipped, cut with a chainsaw, and even set on fire after having tequila poured over him. Khan even showed the judge an image that appeared to show the man on fire.
The victim was allegedly lured to the home under the guise of friendship by both Woeltz and Duplessie and was held there 17 days where he says he was systematically tortured. However, the pair’s legal team painted a very different picture.
Defense attorney Sam Talkin argued that the victim was, in fact, no victim at all and instead came and went as he pleased and was seen smiling while visiting local stores with the accused kidnappers, “having the time of his life.”
The story that he is selling doesn’t make sense,” Talkin stated, adding that there were ample opportunities for him to flee and seek help.
Khan pushed back, telling the court that the whole situation was highly orchestrated and that when the victim left the home he was guarded. She also said they took photographs of him in poses to make it appear as though he was complicit.
Khan so reported that surveillance video captured the moment he fled for bleeding as he begged an officer for help. He was reportedly treated at the hospital for wounds consistent with his claims. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office stated that a firearm was found in the home, along with night vision goggles, ammunition, and Polaroid photos of the victim with a gun pointed to his head.
They are expected to appear in court on July 15; they were remanded in custody.
