Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Honorable Mary Gibbons Whipple, J.S.C. sentenced Brendon Matos, 28-years old, of Randolph to 40 years in State Prison in connection with the shooting death and robbery of his father.
On February 25, 2014, defendant pled guilty to First Degree Felony Murder, First Degree Robbery and Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
The defendant admitted to shooting his father on July 5, 2011 in the course of robbing him of money at their Randolph residence. Defendant admitted that he used his father’s firearm in commission of these crimes. Defendant also admitted that he did not have a firearm permit and knew that due to a prior felony conviction in the State of Florida, he was not permitted to possess a weapon.
Judge Whipple sentenced defendant to 40 years in State Prison. He is required to serve 85 percent of his sentence under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA) before becoming eligible for parole.
Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Anthony Scibetta and Senior Trial Counsel/SDAG John McNamara, Jr. represented the State at the sentencing.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp stated: “Today’s sentence reflects the horrific nature of this crime. We hope that the victim’s family will gain some degree of solace now that this case is over.”
Acting Prosecutor Knapp thanks Randolph Township Police Chief David Stokoe and the Randolph Township Police Department, Sheriff Edward Rochford and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Chief David Doyle and the Morris County Park Police, Lieutenant Brian Bird and the Department of Human Services Police, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit for their efforts resulting in today’s sentence.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 ortzelante@co.morris.nj.us.