Arrest of Morristown Resident Kleber Cordova
May 11, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella, and Morristown Chief of Police Peter Demnitz announce the arrest of Morristown resident Kleber Cordova, age 29, who has been charged with:
On May 9, 2008 at approximately 7:19 am, a 911 call was placed by the defendant requesting medical assistance for his wife who was located at their residence located at 85 Western Avenue in Morristown. Responding officers found the victim submerged in a bathtub, face up, with her head positioned under the faucet. The victim was pulled from the tub by the first responding Morristown Police Officers. CPR was performed by Morristown Police, Morristown Ambulance Squad and the victim was treated by paramedics as well. She was ultimately transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the defendant had an argument with the victim and a struggle ensued where the defendant held the victim's head under water for several minutes until she stopped struggling.
Prosecutor Bianchi stated:
"This is a tragic case, especially in that the children have been deprived of the love and care of their mother. On this Mother's Day, our prayers and sympathies are extended to the victim and her children along with our commitment to ensure that this defendant is made to pay for his actions.
I would also like to commend the excellent legal and investigative work which was performed by members of Morris County Prosecutor's Office, as well as the prompt response and investigative follow up by members of the Morristown Bureau of Police and the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section. The teamwork that was shown allowed us to secure the necessary evidence to solve this crime. The legal and investigative staff members of all agencies worked around the clock from Friday morning until this morning when the defendant was ultimately lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility.
The investigation with regard to the defendant's legal status in the United States is on-going. We have been in contact with authorities from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and in the event that he is determined to be illegal a detainer will be placed on him."
The defendant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000,000.00 bail set by the Honorable Salem Vincent Ahto, P.J.Cr.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Morristown Police Department at 973-538-2200 or the Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers Program at 973-COP-CALL (973)-267-2255.
Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.
Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio