Woman, sons accused in the same killing

By Nia-Malika Henderson | Sun reporter

October 28, 2006

A Millersville woman whose two sons were charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend was indicted yesterday on first-degree murder and handgun charges.

The new charges against Cynthia Jean McKay, 50, of the 200 block of Nathan Way, are in addition to indictments lodged in March charging her with being an accessory after first-degree murder in the death of 50-year-old Anthony Frank Fertitta of Baltimore, who was fatally stabbed, dumped on a street near McKay's home and set on fire.McKay's sons -- Matthew Joseph Haarhoff, 18, of Millersville and Christopher James Haarhoff, 20, of Halethorpe -- were charged with murder in March and September, respectively.

On Feb. 22, police discovered Fertitta's body on fire in a quiet residential community at about 3 a.m.

Police said Fertitta was killed in McKay's home after the couple had an argument and that McKay used bleach to cover bloodstains.

Police have said that they believe the younger Haarhoff told someone that he shot and stabbed Fertitta before moving the body and setting it on fire.

His trial is scheduled for January.

According to court records, McKay has had 19 criminal convictions, mostly for credit card fraud and theft.

Authorities allege that she faked her own death and has links to three fires. She also served prison time for embezzling $205,000 from a Baltimore seminary.

In November, she is scheduled to go on trial on a felony theft charge. She is accused of stealing from a former employer.

Those charges arose out of the investigation into Fertitta's death -- an investigation that Kristin Riggin, a spokeswoman for the state's attorney's office, said was complex and tedious.

"This is one of the most bizarre cases our office has ever seen," Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Frank R. Weathersbee said in a statement. "To have three family members charged with one murder is unheard of."

McKay was also charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter.

nia.henderson@baltsun.com