By: Richard L. Smith
A judge in Morris County sentenced a Denville resident to serve over a decade in jail for killing his mother and setting her home on fire to conceal the crime in the spring of 2021.
According to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Anthony Citro, 43, was sentenced to 17 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Prosecutor Carroll said at approximately 7:24 a.m.; May 17, Denville Police received a 9-1-1 call regarding a fire at 37 Chestnut Hill Drive East.
Emergency responders arrived and found Anthony Citro outside the residence, with apparent blood on his clothing.
According to Prosecutor Carroll, Denville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished a fire inside the residence after police observed smoke coming from the building.
Prosecutor Carroll said the fire was declared incendiary during their investigation at the scene.
While suppressing the fire, crews found a woman's body inside the residence. Police identified the woman as Ms. Eileen Citro, 68, the defendant's mother. The cause of death was ruled homicide by the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office.
The manner of death was determined to be sharp force injuries.
Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said on November 16, 2022, Citro pled guilty to first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter before the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr.
Judge Taylor imposed the No Early Release Act (NERA), which makes Citro ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of the sentence imposed.