Times Leader
September 14, 2015
State police allege that a man who had an affair with Samuel Vacante’s wife murdered Vacante in his Drums home, tried to clean up the crime scene, drove away with Vacante’s body in the victim’s own car and disposed of his body.
Eleazar Yisrael, 29, of Hazleton, was arraigned today by District Justice Daniel O’Donnell on charges of criminal homicide, robbery, burglary, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.
During the arraignment, the defendant continually recited from a document known as an affidavit of truth, which is a proclamation of sovereign citizenship.
“I’m not compelled to perform under any contract,” Yisrael repeated as O’Donnell attempted to proceed.
According to the FBI.gov website, a sovereign citizen is one who believes he or she is not answerable to any government authority.
An investigation began after the victim’s estranged wife, Lisa Vacante, called Butler Township police on Aug. 31 to report Vacante missing along with his white 2014 Kia Cadenza. An initial search showed firearms, knives, watches and personal belongings to be among items missing from Vacante’s home at 20 Coventry Lane.
In the garage of the residence, discarded gloves and rags, which smelled of bleach, were found along with a discharged .22-caliber shell casing.
Yisrael was arrested by state police on Sept. 3 following a series of events linking him to the scene of the crime.
Vacante’s vehicle was found on Sept. 2 on Eighth Street, near Manhattan Court, in Hazleton, approximately 574 feet from the defendant’s home. Officers reported the license plate had been removed, the keys missing and the vehicle identification number blacked out with marker.