Prosecutor: Trio Indicted on Charges Related to 2019 Manalapan Murder

Two men and a woman were indicted on Tuesday morning for their respective roles in the October shooting death of a Manalapan man, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Wednesday.

Zoey S. Monte, 20, of Jackson, was arrested after she turned herself into authorities at the Manalapan Township Police Department on Tuesday. Monte was indicted on: one count of second-degree burglary, one count of second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, one count of second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, one count of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Tyler J. Martucci, 22, also of Jackson, is currently be held in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on separate, unrelated charges. Relative to this case, Martucci was indicted on: one count of second-degree burglary, one count of second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, one count of second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, one count of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

In October, Gerard A. Grimes Jr., 23, of Jackson, was arrested in connection with the shooting death of Narciso Rodriguez-Corona, 43, of Manalapan. On Tuesday, Grimes was indicted on: one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, two counts of second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, one count of second-degree burglary, one count of second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, two counts of fourth-degree aggravated assault, one count of second-degree eluding, one count of fourth-degree resisting arrest, and one count of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence.

The case background …

On Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 at 9:34 p.m., Manalapan police officers responded to a call, reporting a fight at 25 Fawn Run in the township. Several minutes later, police received another call for a confirmed shooting victim.

When police arrived on the scene, they discovered Narciso Rodriguez-Corona suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation revealed Grimes, Monte and Martucci all came to the Manalapan residence armed with a handgun. Grimes attempted to enter the residence while Monte and Martucci remained outside.

Residents of the home were alerted to Grimes’ presence and attempted to stop him from entering, resulting in a brief confrontation outside the home. Shortly thereafter, a second encounter occurred nearby. Grimes ultimately shot the victim during that altercation. Grimes, Monte and Martucci all fled the area.

Police were dispatched to the area and encountered the victim, who was suffering from life-threatening injuries. After receiving initial information regarding the incident, police began to search the area.

A few hours later, police attempted a motor vehicle stop of Grimes’ vehicle. He failed to stop and ultimately fled the vehicle on foot. Monte and Martucci were also in the vehicle and were arrested at that time. A short time later, Grimes was found in the back yard of a neighborhood residence.

If convicted of murder, Grimes faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in New Jersey state prison without the possibility of parole, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring him to serve 85 percent of his imposed sentence before becoming eligible for release on parole. Grimes would also be under parole supervision for five years following his prospective release from state prison.

If convicted of any of the second-degree crimes, Grimes, Monte and Martucci each face up to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison on each count. Any sentence resulting from a conviction for the second-degree crime of burglary is also subject to the provisions of NERA. Grimes, Monte and Martucci would also be under parole supervision for five years following their respective release from state prison.

Grimes, Monte and Martucci are each being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) in Freehold Township. Grimes has been detained pending trial since his arrest on Oct. 5, 2019. Detention hearings for Monte and Martucci are schedule for Feb. 3, 2020 at 9 a.m. before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon.

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