Mine Hill Resident Convicted of Murdering His Wife
April 9, 2008: Today, a Morris County jury found George Melendez, age 61, of Mine Hill, guilty of:
One count of First Degree Murder
One count of Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
One count of Third Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
The verdict followed a 7 day trial. The defendant faces a maximum possible custodial sentence of life in prison with 85% of parole ineligibility in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced on May 16, 2008.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., commended the efforts and trial preparation of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor John McNamara, Jr., Esq. and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Tia Manochio, Esq.
Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This trial win sends a message to persons who commit senseless and violent acts in our county, that they will be aggressively prosecuted and that our office is ready, willing and able to bring them to justice in a court of law. Hopefully, this verdict can begin to heal the family of the victim. My special thanks to the Major Crimes Detectives of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Rockaway Township Police Department, Wharton Police Department, New Jersey State Police Department of Forensic Sciences and the Morris County Sheriff's Office for their collective effort in bringing about this result. I am proud of the partnership and the work that they do on behalf of the citizens of Morris County."
Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio
Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Montville
April 9, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella, Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford, and Montville Township Chief of Police Richard Cook announce the investigation into a fatal motorcycle accident.
At approximately 8:30 pm on April 8, 2008, the Montville Township Police Department received a 911 call reporting a motorcycle crash on Main Road in the Towaco section of Montville Township. The victim, Daniel Marganski, age 27, of Pequannock, was operating a 2004 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle when it left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. The victim was transported by Medivac helicopter to Morristown Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The crash is being investigated by the Montville Township Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Morris County Sheriff's Department.
The investigation is on-going and any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact the Montville Township Police Department at (973) 257-4300, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStopper Program at (973) 267-2255.
Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio