A Mays Landing man has pled guilty to the shooting death of his longtime girlfriend.

According to Atlantic County Prosecutor JIm McClain, Joseph Morrison, 64, pled guilty yesterday to aggravated manslaughter in the November, 2014 death of Debra Mason.

At 9:55p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, Hamilton Township Police, Hamilton Township Rescue, and AtlantiCare paramedics responded to the Sears Avenue home in response to a 9-1-1 call. Upon arrival, Mason was found with a gunshot wound to the chest. Mason was pronounced dead at the scene.  Morrison was present at the home when emergency responders arrived.

An investigation by detectives of the Hamilton Township Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit resulted in the arrest of Morrison the following morning, charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

On May 6, 2015, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Morrison for murder — a crime of the 1st degree, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose — a 2nd degree crime, and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm — a 4th degree crime.
Yesterdat, Morrison pled guilty to 1st degree aggravated manslaughter, in accordance with a plea agreement that includes a term of incarceration in New Jersey State prison for 18 years, and a waiver of his right to appeal the conviction. Pursuant to the No Early Release Act (NERA), Morrison must serve 85% of the prison sentence — 15 years, 3months, and 18 days
— before becoming eligible for parole.
Sentencing before Judge Sandson is scheduled for October 23, 2015.

 

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