By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on January 17, Harry Bray, Jr., 37, of Manchester, was sentenced by the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Attempted Murder in connection with an incident that occurred during the evening hours of January 5, 2023, resulting in serious bodily injuries to a female victim.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated this sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Bray will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility.
Bray pled guilty to the charge before Judge Palmer on November 12, 2024, County officials said.
According to Ocean County officials, on January 5, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m., an Officer from the Brick Township Police Department was conducting a routine area check off of Cherry Quay Road when the Officer observed a vehicle with two flat tires in a parking lot area.
Upon further examination, the Officer found a female victim on the ground near the vehicle, suffering from multiple stab wounds, officials say.
The female was transported to a local area hospital, where she was treated for serious bodily injuries, Ocean County officials said. She was later transported to a rehabilitation facility and is currently at home recovering.
Ocean County authorities said that an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Bray was responsible for the victim’s injuries.
Later in the evening on January 5, 2023, officials stated that Bray was taken into custody without incident in Manchester Township by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Brick Township Police Department.
Bray was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date, Ocean County authorities stated.