A Cumberland County, New Jersey, man was sentenced for killing a woman and hiding her body. The convicted offender pled guilty to murder charges for killing a female acquaintance and then hiding her body after they got into an argument. Even though the state initially charged the man with murder, he ended up pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
What Happened
After the initial investigation, detectives found that the man and woman had gotten into an argument in a vacant warehouse in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on May 21, 2022. The pair were arguing about another male, and the dispute eventually turned violent. Witnesses said they left the warehouse during this time.
The convicted offender reports that he blacked out and went into a rage. He beat and choked the woman until she was unconscious. He then left the warehouse but later returned and dragged her body out of the warehouse and into the Cohansey River behind the building. He also claimed later that he informed the witnesses of the crime and asked them to help move the body for better concealment.
Local area police investigated the river later after receiving a tip. They also tracked down the offender, who was in possession of the victim’s belongings, and arrested him. The police found blood marks in and outside of the warehouse, consistent with him dragging the body to the river. Then, they found the victim’s body in the river.
The convicted offender had previous charges of simple assault against the victim in 2020. In this case, he was charged with hitting her in the face, which resulted in visible swelling. He was released shortly after this case with an order not to pursue the victim.
He has since been charged and indicted on charges of murder. He is also charged with the desecration of human remains, tampering with evidence, obstruction, theft, and criminal contempt.
He received a plea deal that resulted in a 28-year prison sentence on charges of first-degree aggravated manslaughter. He also received a concurrent prison sentence of eight years for second-degree desecration of human remains.
Another requirement is that he must serve a minimum of 85% of his prison sentence before being eligible for parole. He will be subject to five years of parole supervision even when released.
Aggravated Manslaughter Charges in New Jersey
Aggravated manslaughter charges in New Jersey commonly lead to a prison sentence of between 10-30 years. This charge is also sometimes used as a plea deal for murder charges. Aggravated manslaughter charges can be just as severe and life-changing as murder charges. In this case, the offender will serve a 28-year prison sentence with a mandatory minimum of 85% served.
New Jersey’s strict murder and manslaughter charges are designed to protect people like the victim in this case. However, being charged makes it important to have a strong defense. Anyone dealing with potential murder or manslaughter charges must reach out to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. The witnesses, in this case, may also be charged, depending on what information the police found. Even witnesses who don’t report a crime like this can be charged.
Contact an Experienced Princeton Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Murder Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with murder in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at The Davis Law Firm, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with murder in Princeton, East Windsor, West Windsor, Hopewell, and throughout New Jersey. Call (609) 498-7722 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Disorderly conduct consists of any improper behavior such as fighting, threats of violence, or creating a dangerous atmosphere.
