A Pemberton man was arrested today for the murder of a Mullica Township man who had been found fatally shot inside a home four years ago, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
This morning, members of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Pemberton Police Department arrested Michael K. Castro, 34, of the 400 block of Arney’s Mount-Birmingham Road, Pemberton, NJ, on a warrant issued after an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Castro yesterday on 9 criminal counts, including murder and felony murder.
On February 5, 2012, at approximately 3 p.m., a family member discovered John Kingsbury, 77, injured and bleeding inside a residence located on the 2100 block of Woodland Avenue, Mullica Township.
The Mullica Township Police Department and ambulance personnel responded to the scene. Kingsburg was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—Mainland Campus, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
A subsequent autopsy revealed that Kingsbury had sustained two gunshot wounds to the head. Kingsbury’s death was ruled a homicide.
Following an extensive investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Mullica Township Police Department, Castro was charged with murder, felony murder, and weapons offenses.
The charges allege that Castro caused the death of Kingsbury during the commission of a burglary at the home.
Members of the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Castro at his home on April 9, 2013.
Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Max. A. Baker set Castro’s bail has at $1,100,000 full cash.
Castro was lodged at the Broward County Jail in Florida, later extradited to New Jersey, and held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
An Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Castro on July 3, 2013 for murder, felony murder, 2 counts of burglary, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a handgun.
The indictment was dismissed by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury, Jr. on June 17, 2014.
Yesterday, January 26, 2016, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Castro on 9 counts:
Murder, that Castro did purposely and knowingly cause the death of John Kingsbury—a crime of the 1st degree,
Felony Murder, that Castro did cause the death when the defendant was engaged in the commission of a burglary—1st degree crime,
Burglary, while armed with a deadly weapon—2nd degree crime,
Burglary, while inflicting bodily injury upon the victim—2nd degree crime,
Possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose—2nd degree crime,
Unlawful possession of a handgun without first obtaining a permit—2nd degree
crime, and 3 counts of passing Bad Checks—3rd degree crimes.
After today’s arrest, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit detectives transported Castro to the Prosecutor’s Office in Mays Landing where he was processed for the arrest, and subsequently lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $800,000 full cash bail set by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Patricia Wild.
Castro’s first court appearance is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, January 28, 2016, before Judge DeLury. Members of the media are advised that cameras are not permitted in without prior permission of the court.
A conviction for murder carries a potential sentence of incarceration in New Jersey State Prison for a period of 30 years to life. The potential penalty a 2nd degree conviction is 5-10 years of imprisonment, and the potential prison penalty for a 3rd degree conviction is 3-5 years.