On November 29, 2018, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Lower Township Police Department Chief William Mastriana announced, in a joint press release, that 57-year-old Joseph T. Schroeder of Bristol, Pennsylvania had been arrested the previous day in connection to a stabbing that occurred in North Cape May, NJ. As a result of being implicated in the stabbing, Schroeder, the accused, has been charged with five indictable offenses, the most serious of which is first-degree attempted murder. If Schroeder is found guilty of one, some, or all of the offenses charged, he stands to serve a considerable prison sentence in the New Jersey correctional system.
Circumstances Surrounding the Stabbing
According to the joint press release, police officers of the Lower Township Police Department were called on the morning of November 28, 2018 to respond to a report of a stabbing alleged to have occurred on the 1200 block of Sunnyside Drive. Upon arriving at the scene, police entered the residence located thereon and found the victim, 50-year-old Vincent Harrington, who had sustained multiple stab wounds. The police also found Schroeder at the residence where the victim was stabbed after arriving at the scene of the alleged crime. After finding the two men at the residence, Harrington was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey to have his injuries treated. Currently, Harrington has been listed as in stable condition and it is unclear if he will be released from the hospital at this time. Schroeder, because he has sustained wounds to his hands, was transported to Cooper Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey for treatment.
Upon transporting both the accused and the victim to the respective medical centers, police conducted an investigation of the stabbing. After completing said investigation, the Lower Township Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office arrested Schroeder for the stabbing. Schroeder is currently being detained at Cooper Medical Center until he is medically cleared to be transported to Cape May County Correctional Center.
Indictable Offenses Charged in Connection to the Stabbing
In addition to arresting Schroeder for the stabbing, the Lower Township Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office also charged him with five indictable offenses, namely attempted murder, a crime of the first degree, aggravated assault, a crime of the second degree, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a crime of the third degree, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a crime of the third degree, and unlawful possession of a weapon, a crime of the fourth degree.
Because of the gradings of each offense charged, the exact amount of prison time Schroeder stands to serve if convicted of any, some, or all of the offenses cannot be predicted with exact certainty. However, according to New Jersey law, if a person is convicted of an indictable offense of the first degree, he or she stands to serve between 10 to 20 years in prison.
Similarly, a conviction of an indictable offense of the second degree can amount to a prison sentence of between five and 10 years while a conviction of an indictable offense of the fourth degree can lead to a sentence of between three to five years imprisonment and a conviction of an indictable offense of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months.
Consequently, if Schroeder is found guilty of all of the offenses charged and the sentencing judge runs all sentences on the convictions consecutive to one another and opposed to concurrently with one another, Schroeder may potentially be sentenced to serve an aggregate term of 41.5 years in state prison for his alleged connection to this Cape May stabbing.
Contact an Experienced Westmont Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Criminal Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, or weapons offenses in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. Jill R. Cohen, Esquire of the Law Firm of Jill R. Cohen has successfully represented clients charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses in Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township, Pennsauken, Bellmawr, Deptford, Franklin Township, Atlantic City, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-754-5501 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 210 Haddon Avenue, Haddon Township, NJ 08108.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
