Day: January 19, 2023

Laurence Harbor Man Indicted For Aggravated Manslaughter And Weapons Offences In Jackson, NJ

January 19, 2023

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on January 18, 2023, Michael Tsamas, 33, of Laurence Harbor, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charges of Aggravated Manslaughter, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, in connection with the death of Joseph Delgardio in Jackson Township on May 26, 2022.

On May 26, 2022, at approximately 6:15 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of West Veterans Highway and Conor Road in reference to a 911 call stating that a male was lying in the roadway in a pool of blood.  Responding Officers found Joseph Delgardio, 44, of Jackson Township, with a severe wound to his neck.  At the time of the Officers arrival, Mr. Delgardio was already receiving first aid CPR from Fire Department personnel.  Life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and Mr. Delgardio was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Tsamas was working for a company hired by Verizon to solicit customers on a door-to-door basis.  Tsamas knocked on Mr. Delgardio’s door in an attempt to solicit his business.  Mr. Delgardio told Tsamas that he was not interested, and Tsamas left Mr. Delgardio’s residence.  A short time later, Mr. Delgardio confronted Tsamas on the street and a physical altercation ensued.  During the altercation, Tsamas removed a knife from his pocket and stabbed Mr. Delgardio in the neck. 

Tsamas was taken into custody without incident at the scene, and thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail.  Tsamas was subsequently released from the Ocean County Jail as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective and cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

R.P.C.  3.6(b)(6).


Michael Tsamas, 33, of Laurence Harbor


TAVI Allentown Arts Series Presentation: Was Molly Pitcher from Allentown?

January 19, 2023

ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The iconic vision of Molly Pitcher at the Battle Monmouth has been shared with history students for generations. Although part of Revolutionary War lore, questions about Molly abound: Who was she? Where did she come from? Is the story we’ve all been told true?

Resident historian John Fabiano will delve into the legend of Molly Pitcher on Sunday, February 5, 2023 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Crossroads Youth Center, 75 South Main Street, Allentown, NJ 08501. Mr. Fabiano’s free presentation, “A Servant at Mrs. Watkins’ – Molly Pitcher’s Local Origin,” is part of the “Allentown Arts” series presented by The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) focusing on the history and arts of Allentown, New Jersey.

Fabiano, who serves as the Executive Director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, has spent years researching Molly Pitcher and the role she played at this pivotal battle in the War for Independence. Passing centuries have created the challenge of separating fact from fiction to reveal the amazing story of a determined local woman.

TAVI is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose focus is on local history education and historic preservation, natural resource protection, economic development, and the arts and culture. A quaint and quiet town of 1,800 residents set apart from the bustle of urban New Jersey, Allentown is conveniently located just minutes from Exit 7a on the New Jersey Turnpike, one hour south of New York City, and less than an hour north of Philadelphia.

For more information, visit www.allentownvinj.org and follow TAVI on Instagram @tavi.nj and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allentownvinj