Rochester / Brighton, N.Y. --- Max Wyant claimed from the beginning that he was defending himself when he shot and killed his former roommate Christopher “C.J.” Schoen. But he also offered little explanation as to why Schoen was shot in the back.
The videotaped interview of Max Wyant by Brighton Police Investigator Mark Liberatore was released Wednesday by Monroe County Court Judge Doug Randall following a request by 13WHAM News. The tape was played at Wyant’s trial for the jury this week and with Wyant not expected to take the witness stand it could serve as a key piece of evidence for the jury to consider when they likely begin deliberations on Thursday.
Wyant shot and killed Schoen on February 8, 2012 at 37 Hartfeld Drive. The two men both lived there for most of 2011 but Schoen had moved out in November of that year. Wyant first shot Schoen in the back of the elbow with a less-than-lethal “rubber round” from his double barreled shotgun. The second and eventually fatal shot of double aught buckshot was fired seconds later according to a third roommate who witnessed the shooting.
In the videotaped interview Wyant said he was afraid of Schoen who he described at one point as a “psychotic sociopath.” Wyant said he changed the locks and the door after Schoen moved out.
At one point in the interview the following exchange occurs:
INVESTIGATOR: Where do you think the non-lethal round the first one, where do you think that hit if you know?
WYANT: It hit him somewhere around here. (pointing to his right side near the ribs)
