Defendant is Sentenced on Aggravated Manslaughter and Simple Assault Charges

Published on November 16, 2018

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr. announce the sentencing of Maurice Pearson, age 31, with a last known address in Pine Brook, New Jersey on Aggravated Manslaughter and Simple Assault Charges.

On or about April 10, 2015, officers with the Fairfield Township Police Department responded to the Knights Inn, located at 55A Route 46 in Pine Brook, New Jersey (Montville Township) on a report of a male choking. As a result of a joint law enforcement investigation by multiple agencies, Pearson was charged and subsequently indicted for various crimes related to the death of a three-year old male and the assault of his adult mother. Members of the Montville Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, the Fairfield Police Department, and the Altoona (PA) Police Department all contributed to this investigation and prosecution.

Pearson pled guilty in April 2018, to one count of Aggravated Manslaughter, a crime of the First degree, and one count of Simple Assault, a disorderly persons offense.

On November 16, 2018, the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris Vicinage, sentenced the Defendant to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Pearson will be required to service eighty-five percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act (NERA). He will also be subject to a five-year period of parole supervision upon his release from prison.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Troiano and AP Melissa Ercolano in this matter. Prosecutor Knapp acknowledged the outstanding work done by both of these attorneys.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank all members of law enforcement who contributed to this investigation and prosecution.

Prosecutor Knapp said, The senseless killing of a defenseless child warranted the significant prison sentence of this defendant. Nothing can be done or said that will ever restore his mother's loss, however we hope this sentence in some way brings her closure.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.