Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced that a Piscataway man was found guilty today of aggravated manslaughter for fatally shooting his father, a 26-year veteran of the township police department and member of the Piscataway Board of Education.
In addition to aggravated manslaughter, John Mahoney, 26, was convicted of hindering his own apprehension and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the death of his father, Jerry Mahoney, 49.
The jury, sitting in New Brunswick, deliberated over three days before finding the defendant guilty. The jury also acquitted him of a murder charge.
The defendant, who remains in custody, will be incarcerated for up to 35 years in a New Jersey state prison when he is sentenced on May 5, 2015 by Superior Court Judge Michael A. Toto.
During an eight-week trial, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Bina Desai and Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Allysa Gambarella presented evidence and testimony showing that Mahoney shot his father three times on the morning of December 27, 2007, while the father was sleeping in a recliner in their home.
The defendant subsequently shot himself in the arm and then called 911, saying an intruder broke into the home. He later told police he killed his father, but said it was an accident.
At trial he admitted to purposely shooting and killing his father, but claimed he acted in self-defense.
The prosecution argued that the defendant had planned the homicide for a period of time and had mentioned to friends that he wanted to hire a hit man.