A man facing murder charges died while being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, NJ.
The 58-year-old suspect had been accused of murdering a Madison, NJ resident. He was being held in jail pending an arraignment to determine whether he would go to trial for the murder charges.
The 34-year-old victim was the owner of a construction company that operated out of Madison. The victim’s body was found in the backseat of a car parked near Woodland Cemetery on February 24. A few weeks later, the suspect was arrested and charged.
According to Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly, the defendant died on March 14. However, no foul play is suspected, as a medical examiner determined that the death was the result of natural causes.
Had the suspect been arraigned and gone to trial, he would have faced severe penalties. Under the New Jersey criminal code, homicide is the most serious offense. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, a conviction for first degree felony murder can carry a penalty of 30 years to life in NJ State Prison.
For more information, read the NJ.com article entitled “Newark Man Awaiting Court Date in Slaying of Madison Man Dies in Jail.“