By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on March 26, Michael Tsamas, 35, of Laurence Harbor, was found guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter in connection with the death of Joseph Delgardio, 44, of Jackson Township, following a two-week jury trial before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that in rendering its verdict, the jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Tsamas recklessly caused the death of Mr. Delgardio in Jackson Township on May 26, 2022, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life.
The jury also found Tsamas guilty of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, OCPO officials say.
According to Ocean County officials, Tsamas is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Ryan on May 30, at which time he faces up to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with the Aggravated Manslaughter offense, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
Ocean County authorities stated that on May 26, 2022, at approximately 6:15 p.m., officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of West Veterans Highway and Conor Road in reference to a 911 call stating that a male was lying in the roadway in a pool of blood.
Responding Officers found Mr. Delgardio with a severe wound to his neck, OCPO officials said. At the time of the Officers’ arrival, Mr. Delgardio was already receiving first aid and CPR from Fire Department personnel.
Life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and Mr. Delgardio was pronounced deceased at the scene, OCPO officials stated.
According to Ocean County officials, an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Tsamas was working for a company hired by Verizon to solicit customers on a door-to-door basis.
Tsamas knocked on Mr. Delgardio’s door in an attempt to solicit his business, Ocean County authorities said. Mr. Delgardio told Tsamas that he was uninterested, and Tsamas left Mr. Delgardio’s residence.
Ocean County officials said a short time later, Mr. Delgardio confronted Tsamas on the street, and a physical altercation ensued. During the altercation, Tsamas removed a dagger from his pocket and stabbed Mr. Delgardio in the neck, ultimately resulting in Mr. Delgardio’s death.
Tsamas was taken into custody without incident at the scene and thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, OCPO officials say. Tsamas was subsequently released from the Ocean County Jail as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.