A 38-year-old Monmouth County man has been charged with aggravated manslaughter connection with an early morning New Year’s Day murder, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Friday.

Carl A. Richards, of Marlboro, was charged with one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter stemming from the incident.

On Monday, Jan. 1, at 12:49 a.m., Marlboro Township police responded to a home on Texas Road in the Morganville section on an urgent request for medical attention of a male who had been assaulted. Upon arrival, police found the victim, identified as George L. Mott III, 64, unresponsive, having sustained severe trauma to his head, face, and neck. Mott was rushed to Old Bridge Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead at 1:49 a.m.

An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau and the Marlboro Township Police Department revealed that after a verbal dispute, Carl A. Richards assaulted the victim, ultimately leading to his death. It was determined that both Mott and Richards both reside at the residence.

Richards is being lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending an initial appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court on Friday, Jan. 5.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley of the Major Crimes Bureau.

Carl A. Richards is represented by Antonio J. Toto, Esq. of Monroe Township.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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