Politics & Government

Murderer Making 'Mockery' of Victims, Legislator Says

New Jersey assembly members sponsor bill to amend Crime Victims' Bill of Rights, requiring convicted to be in court for sentencing.

Convicted murderer Guiseppe Tedesco is making a mockery of the justice system by appealing his appearance at a sentencing that could bring life imprisonment, says one legislator, and that’s why two of New Jersey's Assembly members are fighting to amend the state’s Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.

Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco (R-Morris, Somerset) and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic) have sponsored a bill this week that would require guilty defendants to be in court not just for sentencing, but to hear victims' impact statements.

Currently, the Bill of Rights grants victims’ families the ability to face the convicted and deliver impact statements on the day of sentencing, but the terminology stops short of requiring the defendant to be present, Bucco said.

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“[The Tedesco] case is something new,” Bucco told Patch. “Quite frankly, I was appalled by Tedesco’s crime, his actions in court, and now this is the icing on the cake. He’s making a mockery of the justice system.”

Tedesco, of Hopatcong, . He was convicted of first-degree murder in January after a month-long trial in which he claimed self-defense.

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On the day the verdict was returned, Tedesco threatened Ruggieri’s brother in the courtroom, which led to a melee and a broken leg for a court officer.

Tedesco faces life in prison for the crime, and his sentencing was originally scheduled for March. His attorney, however, .

A ruling on Tedesco’s appearance is scheduled for the fall.

“I’m quite concerned about how the Supreme Court will rule,” Bucco said. “That’s why we’re bringing this bill forward and hope [rulings] like the one that may happen here don’t set a precedent.

“It’s certainly the legislators intent to amend this law,” Bucco continued.

“Crime victims will always feel the pain, loss and suffering caused by crime. They deserve the opportunity to confront those who harmed them before justice is served,” DeCroce said in a statement.

“It’s mind boggling to think that the Supreme Court has to even consider whether a convicted murderer has to appear in court for his sentencing. The last words a violent criminal should hear before being locked up should be from the friends and families left behind.”

This isn’t an issue that should be divided by party lines, the assemblyman said, and should only be supporting the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights.

“I’m going to be speaking with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle going forward to gain support for this bill and see it to the next step,” Bucco said. “There’s no question this legislation is needed."


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