The 17-year-old driver accused of fatally mowing down two women in New Jersey has but to be charged as an grownup — however a lawyer for one of many sufferer’s household mentioned it was “very cheap” to improve the case.
Lawyer Brent Bramnick, who’s representing sufferer Maria Niotis’ family members, mentioned Union County prosecutors have 60 days to find out in the event that they need to transfer Vincent Battiloro’s case from juvenile to grownup courtroom as Maria’s distraught mom demanded justice for her and pal Isabella Salas.
Because the clock ticks on a choice, Bramnick claimed the alleged maniac driver was related to a pair of “swatting” incidents on the Niotis’ residence in Cranford in September, together with one wherein Battiloro was confronted by native police outdoors the house, however didn’t seem to get in additional bother.
Battiloro is going through two counts of first-degree homicide, however public details about the case is restricted as a result of the matter is at present a juvenile continuing.
“Primarily based upon the components that I do know, it’s actually very cheap for the prosecutors to resolve on this case that this defendant must be handled as an grownup,” mentioned Bramnick, who’s a former Union prosecutor.
Bramnick informed The Submit Thursday the household didn’t need to touch upon whether or not Battiloro must be charged as an grownup — however he anticipated prosecutors will seek the advice of with them earlier than a choice is reached.
“I need justice for Maria and Isabella, that’s what I need,” Foulla Niotis mentioned via tears in a Fox Information interview Sunday. “I need justice for these two lovely women.”
The Union County Prosecutor’s Workplace didn’t instantly return a request for remark, however beforehand mentioned it was exploring all authorized choices.
Battiloro allegedly began harassing Maria with “detrimental contacts” in March after which ramped up his stalking in September when he referred to as police to the Niotis’ residence twice with out a purpose, an costly and typically harmful stunt often called “swatting,” Bramnick mentioned.
Each instances, the Niotis household pointed the finger at Battiloro, whose father is a former Chatham Borough police officer and uncle is the police chief in Westfield.
Throughout the second swatting state of affairs, Battiloro, of Garwood, was noticed lurking outdoors the house in his automobile and was spoken to by authorities, Bramnick mentioned.
As a substitute of taking him into custody, police informed Foulla that Battiloro’s father was going to verify he went residence from the scene, Bramnick mentioned.
The teenager driver then drove off, mentioned the lawyer, who confused his shoppers need to know why extra wasn’t achieved to forestall the lethal crash.
“Was there an investigation and if there was, what motion was taken? This present day, the household doesn’t know of any investigation or something that happened,” Bramnick mentioned.
The household can be involved that Battiloro’s regulation enforcement ties helped him keep away from bother.
“The regulation enforcement within the household, he thought he was untouchable due to it,” Foulla alleged throughout the Fox Information interview.
Battiloro’s father retired from the Chatham Borough Police Division in Dec. 2024, the division informed The Submit.
Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, the alleged killer’s uncle, has condemned the horrific murders.
In a collection of disturbing livestreams within the weeks and months earlier than the crash, Battiloro bashed Maria and her mom, claiming he was falsely accused in class of sending youngster pornography that obtained him in bother
He additionally ordered pizza pies to the Niotis residence round per week earlier than the deadly crash throughout one of many livestreams he recorded on YouTube, which Bramnick confirmed.
Battiloro, who was publicly recognized via visitors tickets and neighbors, was initially taken into custody the evening of the crash earlier than he was minimize unfastened – one other questionable transfer by authorities, Bramnick mentioned.
“Why on that evening was he let go? We need to unravel that as properly,” he mentioned.
