N.J. woman pleads guilty to killing roommate with household items

Prosecutors revealed last week that a woman from New Jersey entered a guilty plea for aggravated manslaughter, acknowledging she had taken the life of her roommate in 2020.

Mary Carbone, 60 allegedly admitted using household goods to kill her roommate, ending a case that had been pending since 2020. In 2020, Carbone, admitted to killing Frank Stochel, then 56, at their home in Pine Lake Park, Manchester Township.

Carbone entered a guilty plea on last Monday, the Ocean County Prosecutor's office reported, bringing the case to a final close after it started on February 24, 2020. On the day of the fatal incident, Manchester police received a call regarding an unresponsive male at a Pine Lake Park home on 6th Avenue .

Upon arrival, they found Stochel dead on the floor. After investigation, police determined it was murder and identified Carbone as the perpetrator.

The Prosecutor said Carbone, who was 56 at the time, beat Stochel to death with various household objects. She made use of a shower pole, a board, and a big tape dispenser.

She was first accused with murder in March 2020, but the accusation was later downgraded to aggravated manslaughter. Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer stated that "We believe this to be a just and reasonable resolution after careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances."

Police files obtained by NJ Advance Media state that there had previously been altercations at the address. They reported responding to numerous domestic incidents in the months preceding Stochel's death.

Billhimer appeared satisfied with the outcome. He released a statement saying, "After considering all factors, we believe this is a just resolution." He mentioned that Stochel's family also approved.

Since her arrest in 2020, Carbone has been housed in an Ocean County prison. September 13 is her scheduled sentencing date, and a 10-year term is what the prosecutor is recommending.

The incident serves as a reminder that commonplace items have the capacity to turn become lethal weapons in family disputes. It also underscores the complexities that can arise in prosecuting such cases, where evidence may not always clearly support initial charges.

The plea agreement brings a measure of closure to a tragic event that shocked the small New Jersey community. Manchester Township, located just east of the Jersey Shore, is typically known for its quiet suburban atmosphere rather than violent crime.

The case serves as a grim reminder of the possibility of violence in intimate situations as it nears its conclusion. It also illustrates the difficulties faced by prosecutors and law enforcement in handling intricate cases in which first impressions might not be accurate.

The charge of aggravated manslaughter was dropped from murder, reflecting the criminal justice system's frequent need for a nuanced approach. The Prosecutor's office must balance fairness with what they can prove in court.

While the plea deal might not provide complete closure for everyone, Carbone will still face consequences for her actions. A decade in prison is significant - that's what the prosecutors are recommending.

Carbone has been in Ocean County Jail since her arrest and is scheduled for sentencing on September 13. Prosecutors plan to request a 10-year prison sentence.