Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against Ex-Marine In NJ Street Artist's Death Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against Ex-Marine In NJ Street Artist's Death
Subway Death: Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against Ex-Marine In NJ Street Artist's Death A New York judge dismissed the top criminal count against an ex-Marine accused of choking a New Jersey street artist to death aboard a Manhattan subway after the jury deadlocked. Manhattan Judge Maxwell Wiley granted a defense motion to dismiss the manslaughter charge against Daniel Penny late Friday afternoon, Dec. 6, after jurors were unable to reach a verdict on the top count, NBC News reports. The dismissal came hours after jurors told Wiley they were deadlocked on whether Penny was guilty of second-degree manslaughter and the judge ordered them to continue deliberations.…
Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say
Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say A former Galloway Township gymnastics coach was accused of sexually assaulting a girl under 16 years old, authorities said. The Galloway Township Police Department announced the arrest of 51-year-old Matthew Shriver in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Brigantine man was a co-owner of Everest Gymnastics and Tumbling Center in Galloway Township. The investigation began after officers received a report regarding the abuse accusations. Police said they obtained cell phone evidence that corroborated the victim’s statements.  This evidence led to search warrants for Shriver’s phone, perso…
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say A Union Beach youth soccer coach admitted to molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to several others, authorities said. Ryan Gunsauls, 33, pleaded guilty during a hearing in superior court, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, Nov. 18. The investigation began in May when a teen reported Gunsauls had asked for and shared sexually explicit material through a social media app. As the case developed, eight additional victims between 11 and 17 years old were identified. Gunsauls was held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution an…
Andy Kim Wins Senate Race Replacing Bob Menendez Andy Kim Wins Senate Race Replacing Bob Menendez
Andy Kim Wins Senate Race Replacing Bob Menendez Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., won the election to the United States Senate, defeating Republican challenger Curtis Bashaw. BREAKING: Kamala Harris Wins New Jersey The Associated Press made Kim's call Tuesday, Nov. 5 just as polls closed at 8 p.m. Kim will be filling the seat left vacant following the resignation of former Sen. Rob Menendez, D-NJ, who was convicted of felony corruption and bribery charges. Kim will be appointed to the seat by Gov. Phil Murphy after his election is certified. Kim will be the first Asian American senator from the Garden State and the first Korean senator from any s…
Accused Pelosi Laptop Thief's Dad Convicted Of Child Abuse One Year After NJ Defamation Case Accused Pelosi Laptop Thief's Dad Convicted Of Child Abuse One Year After NJ Defamation Case
Accused Pelosi Laptop Thief's Dad Convicted Of Child Abuse One Year After NJ Defamation Case The father of a Pennsylvania woman who was accused of stealing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's laptop was convicted of sexually abusing a girl on Wednesday, Oct. 30 — just two days after the trial began, according to court documents and the Dauphin County District Attorney's office.  Rickey Williams, 55, — a security guard from Dauphin County — touched the girl when she was between the ages of 8 and 18. Judge William T. presided over the trial.  She came forward about the abuse within two weeks after police allegedly caught him soliciting a video of a 14-ye…
NJ Man Convicted Of Beating Mom To Death, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Convicted Of Beating Mom To Death, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Convicted Of Beating Mom To Death, Prosecutor Says A 38-year-old Maplewood resident was convicted on Monday, Oct. 21 of murder charges in his mother's death, which he then framed as a suicide, authorities said. Benjamin Avrut was found guilty of first-degree murder after beating his 70-year-old-mothe Gwen to death, Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said. The jury had rejected Avrut's insanity defense. On Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, Avrut entered his sleeping mother's apartment at The Top, a luxury condominium in Maplewood, Stephens said. When she awoke, Avrut beat her to death with his fists, Stephens said.  Avrut,  who had a hist…
Meet Andy Kim, Curtis Bashaw: NJ Politicians Vying For Menendez's Former Seat Meet Andy Kim, Curtis Bashaw: NJ Politicians Vying For Menendez's Former Seat
Meet Andy Kim, Curtis Bashaw: NJ Politicians Vying For Menendez's Former Seat Rep. Andy Kim, D-NJ and Curtis Bashaw, a business owner, are running for Sen. Bob Menendez's old senate seat after the disgraced senator resigned following his conviction on felony corruption charges. Here's a little bit about the two candidates: Kim has represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district since 2019. He jumped into the race upon Menendez's indictment and fended off a challenge from First Lady Tammy Murphy, whose campaign struggled, forcing her to drop out before the primary. Kim's lasting impact in the race may be upending New Jersey's controversial "line" system. A j…
Killer Gets 35 Years For Deadly Bergen Town Center Stabbing: Prosecutor Killer Gets 35 Years For Deadly Bergen Town Center Stabbing: Prosecutor
Killer Gets 35 Years For Deadly Bergen Town Center Stabbing: Prosecutor A 74-year-old North Bergen man was sentenced on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man in 2021, authorities said. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, Augusto Perez stabbed Omar Cruz, a 64-year-old Albany, NY resident, to death behind the Ulta Beauty store in the Bergen Town Center mall in Maywood, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Muella said. With his dying breath, Cruz identified his killer, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Perez was arrested the next day, Musella said. Perez was convicted of aggravated manslaughter in April following a six-week trial, Mu…
Former Flemington Councilman Gets Four Years For Distributing Cocaine: Prosecutor Former Flemington Councilman Gets Four Years For Distributing Cocaine: Prosecutor
Former Flemington Councilman Gets Four Years For Distributing Cocaine: Prosecutor A former councilman in Flemington was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday, Sept. 20 after pleading guilty to distributing cocaine, authorities said. Malik Johnston a.k.a. Pippin Folk has faced numerous legal problems. In April, Johnston, 47, was indicted for theft for stealing $1,000 from the Flemington Democratic Club's bank account at a branch in Bridgewater, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson said. The theft charges were dismissed after Johnson paid restitution, Robeson said. Johnston was originally arrested last October while he was still serving on the town council…
Toms River Woman Sentenced In Roommate's Shower Rod, Tape Dispenser Killing: Prosecutors Toms River Woman Sentenced In Roommate's Shower Rod, Tape Dispenser Killing: Prosecutors
Toms River Woman Sentenced In Roommate's Shower Rod, Tape Dispenser Killing: Prosecutors A Toms River woman will spend at least eight years in prison after admitting to her role in the death of her roommate, a former Manchester High School janitor, authorities said. Mary Carbone, 60, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 13 to ten years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She must serve eight-and-a-half years before she's eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act. Carbone pleaded guilty on Monday, July 8 to aggravated manslaughter. She had been indicted for murder in the death of 55-year-old Frank St…
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say A Monmouth County youth soccer coach accused of molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to others was given more charges, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 32-year-old Ryan Gunsauls of Union Beach on 30 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 14. He was previously arrested in the case in Hazlet on Friday, May 11.  Investigators said one boy told police earlier in May that Gunsauls had been sending him "sexually explicit materials" and asking for them on social media. Eight more victims bet…
Why Sergeant Won't Be Charged In Crash That Killed 44-Year-Old Pedestrian: AG (VIDEO) Why Sergeant Won't Be Charged In Crash That Killed 44-Year-Old Pedestrian: AG (VIDEO)
Why Sergeant Won't Be Charged In Crash That Killed 44-Year-Old Pedestrian: AG (Video) Charges will not be filed against a police officer who last November struck and killed a 44-year-old man while on-duty in a patrol car, authorities said. Sgt. Richard Sbarra was on White Horse Pike (Route 30) in the Atco section of Waterford when he hit Christofe “Christopher” Wita, 44, of Berlin on Nov. 23, 2023, NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin previously said. Bodycam footage and radio transmissions from the incident were released last month. On Monday, Aug. 12, Platkin said Sbarra would not be charged following an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Account…
State Agency Director ID'd As Driver, 55, Killed By Motorist Running Red Light On Route 130 State Agency Director ID'd As Driver, 55, Killed By Motorist Running Red Light On Route 130
State Agency Director ID'd As Driver, 55, Killed By Motorist Running Red Light On Route 130 The driver killed in an early-morning crash Wednesday, July 10 on Route 130 in Hamilton has been identified as the director of the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation (SCI). The agency identified its executive director Chadd W. Lackey as the 55-year-old Voorhees driver who died in the Hamilton crash. Police in their initial report said the crash was caused by a 51-year-old Bordentown woman who allegedly ran a red light at Klockner Road and struck a 2020 Ford Edge SUV heading east around 6 a.m.  Lackey's 44-year-old passenger from Hamilton was left critical. “We are deva…
TV Remote Fight Leads To Brain Bleed, NJ Man Convicted, Prosecutor Says TV Remote Fight Leads To Brain Bleed, NJ Man Convicted, Prosecutor Says
TV Remote Fight Leads To Brain Bleed, NJ Man Convicted, Prosecutor Says A 23-year-old East Orange man was recently convicted of aggravated assault after violently beating a woman over a remote control in 2023, authorities said. In April 2023, John Davis was staying in a woman's apartment when he assaulted her when she raised an issue over a TV remote control, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said. The woman suffered a broken eye socket and a brain bleed and was hospitalized for several days, Stephens said. Davis was convicted following a two-day trial and after several days of jury deliberations, Stephens said. Davis faces up to 10 years in state …
Meek Mill Joins NJ Gov. Murphy To Celebrate Landmark Clemency Effort On Juneteenth Meek Mill Joins NJ Gov. Murphy To Celebrate Landmark Clemency Effort On Juneteenth
Meek Mill Joins NJ Gov. Murphy To Celebrate Landmark Clemency Effort On Juneteenth Gov. Phil Murphy celebrated Juneteenth by announcing a historic initiative in an effort to improve racial justice in New Jersey. The governor signed an executive order on clemency at Saint James AME Church in Newark on Wednesday, June 19. The order establishes standards for people to receive expedited consideration for pardons and commutations. Gov. Murphy said the goal is to fix the racial inequalities that have existed in the criminal justice system. "As we celebrate Juneteenth and reflect on our nation’s ongoing journey toward racial justice for Black and Brown …
Former Notorious NJ Political Boss George Norcross Indicted For Racketeering Former Notorious NJ Political Boss George Norcross Indicted For Racketeering
Former Notorious NJ Political Boss George Norcross Indicted For Racketeering Former New Jersey Democratic kingmaker George E. Norcross III ran a criminal enterprise for nearly a dozen years during which he used his power and influence over elected officials to make laws that best served him, among other offenses, says a state indictment that charges him with racketeering. The poster boy of New Jersey political bosses, Norcross attended a news conference held on Monday, June 17 by state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin in Trenton -- uninvited -- to announce the indictment naming him and five co-defendants. When one of the attorney general's sta…
End Of 'The Line'?: NJ Leg Leaders Looking Into Ballot Design End Of 'The Line'?: NJ Leg Leaders Looking Into Ballot Design
End Of 'The Line'?: NJ Leg Leaders Looking Into Ballot Design New Jersey's county line ballot system continues to face scrutiny. On Tuesday, March 19, New Jersey's legislative leaders, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Senate Minority Issue Anthony Bucco, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio issued a statement on the controversial practice, vowing to begin a public process on ballot design.  The move comes after Rep. Andy Kim, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate filed a federal lawsuit looking to dismantle the "line," and testified in court on Monday, March 18. The layout is controv…
UPDATE: Judge Imposes Requirements On Tenafly Council Prez, Son Released On Child Porn Charges UPDATE: Judge Imposes Requirements On Tenafly Council Prez, Son Released On Child Porn Charges
Update: Judge Imposes Requirements On Tenafly Council Prez, Son Released On Child Porn Charges UPDATE: A judge in Hackensack released Tenafly Council President Jeffrey D. Grossman and his son from jail on Wednesday, but both must remain under house arrest at the family's home while they await trial on charges of child porn possession. Superior Court Judge David Labib didn't require electronic monitoring on Grossman and his son, Steven, during separate first appearances for both on Oct. 18. Labib (above photo, right) did impose several requirements after a prosecutor said investigators found more than 1,000 images of sexually abused boys between 10 and 13 collected by Steven Grossman …
North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen
North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen A North Jersey man was convicted Tuesday, Sept. 20 of repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl over the course of two years, authorities said. Jeff Banatte, 37, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. The Scotch Plains man sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions when she was between 13 and 15 years old, the prosecutor said. Banatte is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, Oct. 21. “We are grateful for the co…
Hoboken Street Fight Stabbing Was Self-Defense, Attorney For Lyndhurst Man Says Hoboken Street Fight Stabbing Was Self-Defense, Attorney For Lyndhurst Man Says
Hoboken Street Fight Stabbing Was Self-Defense, Attorney For Lyndhurst Man Says UPDATE: A Lyndhurst man was defending himself when he stabbed a North Bergen man who attacked him in Hoboken, his lawyer told a judge in Jersey City on Tuesday. "It's self defense, clear self defense," attorney Adam Lustberg of Hackensack said after the judge released Andre Mateus, 26, with conditions following a Zoom hearing. The trouble began at the Tally-Ho bar at the south end of Washington Avenue on Sept. 28.  Two groups got into a dispute that Lustberg said ended when the 22-year-old man who was later stabbed knocked a drink out of his client's hand. Mateus and his friends left…
Millersville University Senior Charged With Sharing Child Porn On Dropbox Millersville University Senior Charged With Sharing Child Porn On Dropbox
Millersville University Senior Charged With Sharing Child Porn On Dropbox A Millersville University senior and dean’s list student has been charged with multiple felonies for distributing child pornography via Dropbox.Robert George Kiesel, 21, of Rawlinsville, was slapped with five felonies for “distributing images and videos of child pornography on the internet,” according to Pennylvania State Police’s Central Computer Crimes Unit. Kiesel is an Eagle Scout who currently works on Millersville University’s Mobile Research Robotics Team, according to his Linkedin. Dropbox, the file sharing company, contacted state police about the images posted to its platform on…
Bill Cosby Freed After PA Supreme Court Overturns Conviction Bill Cosby Freed After PA Supreme Court Overturns Conviction
Bill Cosby Freed After PA Supreme Court Overturns Conviction Bill Cosby has been released from a Philadelphia prison after the Pennsylvania state supreme court overturned his his conviction on Wednesday. The 83-year-old has already served 2 years in prison rather than admitting guilt. Cosby was denied bail in May, as Daily Voice previously reported. The full details of the case have not been released at the time of publishing follow Daily Voice for updates.
Lyndhurst PD: Accused Out-Of-State Drive-By Shooter Free On Bail Caught With Loaded Gun Lyndhurst PD: Accused Out-Of-State Drive-By Shooter Free On Bail Caught With Loaded Gun
Lyndhurst PD: Accused Out-Of-State Drive-By Shooter Free On Bail Caught With Loaded Gun A man charged in a drive-by shooting in Mississippi led a Lyndhurst police officer on a brief chase before he was caught with a loaded gun, authorities said. Officer Ed Montoya initially tried to stop Kendrick Mykel Ford, 23, of Bude, Mississippi after spotting several equipment violations on his older-model Dodge Charger, Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said. Ford hit the gas instead, turning from Polito Avenue onto Rutherford Avenue headed westbound, Auteri said. He eventually pulled over at Orient Way as Montoya learned that the vehicle wasn’t registered, the lieutenant said. Montoya smel…
FBI Links Attorney Who Killed NJ Federal Judge's Son To Similar 'Deliveryman' Killing FBI Links Attorney Who Killed NJ Federal Judge's Son To Similar 'Deliveryman' Killing
FBI Links Attorney Who Killed NJ Federal Judge's Son To Similar 'Deliveryman' Killing UPDATE: The FBI on Wednesday officially linked a man who killed a federal judge’s son in New Jersey while posing as a deliveryman to the death of a fellow men’s rights lawyer from California in a similar ambush. Attorney Marc Angelucci was shot dead at his home in the San Bernadino Mountains of California on July 11 by a gunman who was believed to have dressed as a delivery driver. It was similar to an ambush the FBI says attorney Roy Den Hollander, 72, launched Sunday night at the home of U.S. District Court Judge Ester Salas. "As the FBI continues the investigation into the attack …
Did Attorney Who Killed NJ Federal Judge's Son Dressed As Deliveryman Do Same To Cali Lawyer? Did Attorney Who Killed NJ Federal Judge's Son Dressed As Deliveryman Do Same To Cali Lawyer?
Did Attorney Who Killed NJ Federal Judge's Son Dressed As Deliveryman Do Same To Cali Lawyer? UPDATE: The FBI on Wednesday officially linked a man who killed a federal judge’s son in New Jersey while posing as a deliveryman to the death of a fellow men’s rights lawyer from California in a similar ambush. Attorney Marc Angelucci was shot dead at his home in the San Bernadino Mountains of California on July 11 by a gunman who was believed to have dressed as a delivery driver. It was similar to an ambush the FBI says attorney Roy Den Hollander, 72, launched Sunday night at the home of U.S. District Court Judge Ester Salas. "As the FBI continues the investigation into the attack a…
Petition Seeks To Fire Parsippany Clerk Accused Of Domestic Violence Petition Seeks To Fire Parsippany Clerk Accused Of Domestic Violence
Petition Seeks To Fire Parsippany Clerk Accused Of Domestic Violence A petition to terminate a municipal clerk who was arrested on domestic violence charges is gaining momentum in Morris County. A Change.org petition calls for the firing of Parsippany clerk Khaled Madin, who was accused of choking and beating his wife, Monica Madin. Monica is Parsippany's municipal prosecutor and Khaled's partner at a Morristown law firm. The petition had garnered 48 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon. In addition to breaking into Monica Madin’s home and assaulting her, the 37-year-old was accused of choking her during an argument in the presence of their daughter in J…
Authorities Restrain Belligerent Morris County Man Who Once Hid Under Bed To Avoid Arrest Authorities Restrain Belligerent Morris County Man Who Once Hid Under Bed To Avoid Arrest
Authorities Restrain Belligerent Morris County Man Who Once Hid Under Bed To Avoid Arrest A Morris County man with a history of drug use abused and threatened officers who were serving him with a warrant and restraining order, authorities charged. Adnan Smajlovic was found sleeping in a vehicle when authorities came to his house to serve him a warrant and restraining order around 12:40 a.m., June 27, Mansfield Township police said. He became belligerent when officers woke him up and informed him of the warrant, refusing to leave his vehicle, police said. Smajlovic had to be forcibly removed from his car and -- once in handcuffs -- continued to fight with officers, kicking and t…
Authorities: Combative Hudson Woman Refuses To Resist, Removes Face Guard To Spit At Police Authorities: Combative Hudson Woman Refuses To Resist, Removes Face Guard To Spit At Police
Authorities: Combative Hudson Woman Refuses To Resist, Removes Face Guard To Spit At Police A 20-year-old Secaucus woman twice removed face guards to spit at police -- and kicked one of them in the groin -- while battling them from her home to headquarters and then on the way to the hospital, authorities said. Secaucus officers responding to a 911 hang up in which screaming could be heard in the background “encountered what they described as an irate and combative” woman, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. Margaret O’Leary “approached police and pulled at one officer’s vest, then kicked the same officer in the groin,” Grewal said. O’Leary refused medical attention when…