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
School Safety Training Session Scheduled for 5/12/08 at Morris County Public Safety Training Academy
May 8, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. would like to extend an invitation for all media outlets to attend a training session being held on Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy Auditorium.
This training session will also be attended by all Morris County School Principals, Fire Chiefs, Directors of Emergency Management, School Resource Officers, Counter Terrorism Liaison Officers and Private / Catholic School Principals.
The media is invited to attend either of two sessions- either from 9am until 11am or from 1pm to 3pm.
The training will focus on school safety and training objectives related to critical incident response. There will also be directives and policies distributed on how to address critical incidents that take place within the school environment.
Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This training session is an example of the significant efforts being made by all of our community partners. It is incumbent upon all of us to do everything we can to protect our most precious commodity, our children. Awareness and preparedness will be the focal points of the training. Keeping our children safe is our top priority, and by working together, in a collaborative effort, will go a long way towards ensuring their safety."
All agencies that plan on attending are asked to RSVP to Robyn D'Onofrio at 973-285-6222 in advance.
Two Mexican Citizens Charged with Murder, Hindering Apprehension
May 7, 2008: A Morris County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging two defendants who are citizens of Mexico, Mario Nieto-Rivera, age 34, and Marcos Jose Riveria, age 22.
Mario Nieto-Rivera is charged with:
-one count of first degree Murder
-one count of Third Degree Hindering Apprehension
-one count of Second Degree Tampering with Human Remains
Marcos Jose Riveria was charged with:
-Third Degree Hindering Apprehension
-Second Degree Tampering with Human Remains
The charges stem from the discovery of human skeletal remains on October 12, 2006 in the area of 11 Chapin Road in Montville. The remains were removed from the scene. All bones were examined and a skeletal structure was reconstructed piece by piece as part of the forensic examination. An autopsy was conducted and Dr. Carlos Fonseca of the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office determined that the decedent had suffered a skull fracture, multiple rib fractures as well as other injuries. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma and the manner of death was determined to be homicide. The victim had distinctive cosmetic dentition, namely, two upside down hearts on his front teeth. The remains were positively identified as those of Alfredo De Los Santos-Francisco.
Further investigation revealed that the defendants were known acquaintances of the victim. It was ultimately determined that an argument had taken place between the victim and Nieto-Rivera at which time Nieto-Rivera began punching and kicking the victim. Nieto-Rivera than slammed the victim's head against the wall until the victim was unresponsive, at which time he dragged the victim down the stairs. The two defendants then retrieved a large piece of plastic and wrapped the body in it and carried it to the area of 11 Chapin Road where it was placed into a wooded area.
Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This is a great demonstration of fine police work on a homicide that was not discovered until many months after the crime had occurred. Once again, the dedication and talents of our attorney and legal staff, and that of the Montville Police Department and Morris County Sheriff's Office helped solve this case."
Both defendants are currently lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and immigration detainers have been lodged against both defendants. Nieto-Rivera is being held on $50,000.00 cash, bond or property bail set by the Honorable N. Peter Conforti. Riveria is being held on $75,000.00 cash, bond or property bail set by the Honorable N. Peter Conforti.
If convicted of all charges, defendant Nieto-Rivera faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison. If convicted of all charges, defendant Riveria faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of approximately 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
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.
This case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Ralph Amirata, Esq. Nieto-Rivera is represented by Jessica Moses, Esq., of Morristown and Riveria is represented by William Johnson Esq. of Dover.
Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio