Police arrested a second man in connection with the beating and strangulation death of a 91-year old millionaire in New Jersey.
Prosecutors charged Shaun Woodson, 24, with felony murder, murder, robbery and weapons offenses in the death of Robert Nevius, whose body was found Thursday morning in his Essex Fells home after a concerned friend couldn't make contact and asked police to check on him.
Woodson is the co-defendant of Reginald Anthony, who had recently been hired as a part-time chaffeur for Nevius and his wife. The 28-year-old Anthony was arrested on the same charges Thursday. Both men are from East Orange.
Laurino said Nevius struggled with his assailants, who authorities say stole "a substantial amount" of jewelry from the victim's home. It wasn't clear how much the stolen gems were worth, but authorities said some of the loot was recovered.
An autopsy determined Nevius died from blunt force trauma, strangulation and a stab wound to the neck.
The attack occurred hours after Anthony had driven the victim's wife, Janet, to a co-op apartment the couple owned in New York City, Laurino said. Anthony apparently was substituting for his aunt, who has been the regular chauffeur for the Neviuses for 12 years.
Both suspects, who authorities say are friends, were being held Saturday in the county jail. Woodson's bail was set at $1.5 million and Anthony's was $1 million. Laurino did not know if either suspect had an attorney.
Each could face 30 years to life in prison if convicted on all charges.
Authorities say they don't believe anyone else was involved in the crime. The investigation is ongoing.
