NEWTON — Convicted killer Giuseppe Tedesco was ordered today to appear in court for his sentencing by a judge who said the family of murder victim Alyssa Ruggieri had a right to describe - in Tedesco's presence - the effect their daughter's death has had on their lives.
“The defendant does not have the right not to be here … he must be here,” said Superior Court Judge N. Peter Conforti, citing case law and the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights. “There is no doubt the parents suffered immeasurably.”
However, members of the Ruggieri family must address the court, not Tedesco personally, when they give their victims’ impact statements at his sentencing next week, Conforti said.
"They should be addressing me, the sentencing judge," he said.
Tedesco, who did not attend today’s hearing in Newton, also has the right to speak at his sentencing on March 20, the judge said.
In a brief interview after today's 35-minute hearing, Alyssa’s mother, Michele Ruggieri, said she was pleased with the judge’s decision.
“Alyssa was a fighter, she’d be pleased today. I did this for her,” she said.
The hearing was held in response to a motion filed on Michele Ruggieri’s behalf by the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center. Richard Pompelio, its executive director, had argued against a request made by Tedesco to waive his right to appear at his sentencing.
Pompelio praised the judge’s decision.
“It’s an important day for victims’ rights. Mr. Conforti’s decision was right on the money,” he said.
The judge also rejected Tedesco’s claim that his appearance in court could present a security risk.
On the day of his guilty verdict, Tedesco yelled threats at Ruggieri’s brother. In the ensuing scuffle with sheriff’s officers, a corrections officer suffered a broken leg and a mild concussion.
“Under no circumstances will the court be governed by an unruly defendant,” Conforti said. “An unruly defendant can be controlled physically. Ample court security will be implemented.”
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While the judge rejected a request made by Tedesco’s attorney, Anthony Iacullo of Nutley, to postpone his client’s sentencing until an appeals court could hear the case, Iacullo said in an interview afterwards that he would press on with an emergent appeal.
New Jersey Court Rules, he said. allow Tedesco to waive his right to be present at his sentencing.
Tedesco believes his attendance in court would not benefit either the Ruggieri family or his own family, said Iacullo.
“Obviously, he feels remorse. He testified at the trial and explained how everything transpired that evening. It’s not something he intended. He has no ill will or bad feelings toward Alyssa Ruggieri or her family,” he said.
Tedesco, 27, of Hopatcong, was convicted of first-degree murder and lesser weapons offenses on Jan. 10. He faces up to life imprisonment, plus 20 years. He was found guilty of killing Alyssa Ruggieri, 22, on March 27, 2010, by shooting her six times in her Hopatcong home after she spurned his romantic interests.
During his monthlong trial, Tedesco claimed the killing was in self-defense. He testified the shooting occurred while he and Ruggieri fell down a flight of stairs at her home while they struggled for his gun.
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