Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Belleville Police Chief Joseph Rotonda announced today that the Belleville Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force are investigating the death of 85-year-old William Fitzsimmons of Belleville.
Fitzsimmons was assaulted in his home on or about May 16. He was transported to University Hospital where he died from his injuries yesterday, May 31 at 7:08 p.m. The cause of death was blunt force trauma. The Medical Examiner ruled it a homicide.
Following the assault Belleville Police arrested Ray Cooley, 25, of Nutley. He was charged with attempted murder, burglary and kidnapping. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the charges and they are likely to be upgraded.
The investigation is active an ongoing.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.