A Philadelphia man admitted Thursday to fatally beating his younger brother inside a casino hotel room last year.
John Villante, 39, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the death of 32-year-old Joseph Villante.
The brothers were alone May 28, 2019, in the room on the 11th floor of Harrah's Atlantic City, when the younger man was killed.
John Villante first told police that his brother must have fallen in the shower.
But a bloody room and the autopsy told a different story.
Villante faces 10 to 20 years in prison under the plea, which is open-ended, meaning no term has been agreed upon and the sentencing will be at the judge's discretion.
Villante, who suffers from some mental issues, according to his detention hearing, which was held exactly a year ago.
Villante will remain in the Atlantic County Justice Facility until his sentencing, which is set for Oct. 26.
A Philadelphia man accused of killing his younger brother inside an Atlantic City casino-hotel room will be jailed pending trial.
John Villante entered the courtroom Tuesday using a cane, and silently acknowledged his mother, who sat behind the prosecution table and leaned forward to watch him, crying at times.
His attorney did not fight detention, which was recommended in the public safety assessment given under bail reform due to the nature of the charges.
Villante, 38, is accused of killing 32-year-old Joseph Villante on May 28, inside the 11th-floor room they were inside alone at Harrah’s Atlantic City.
“When asked by the police what happened, the defendant denied any culpability and said the deceased must have fallen in the shower,” Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey told the judge.
But blunt-force injuries, superficial stab wounds and defensive wounds to the younger Villante’s hands and limbs told a different story. Read more...
