Still No Trial Date in Bradley Gardens Homicide

A trial date is still not set for two Bridgewater men charged with the murder of a township woman nearly four years ago.

Rocky DiTaranto and David Granskie are still waiting for their day before a jury on charges of murdering Carolyn Stone on Memorial Day weekend at a Bradley Gardens home in 2009.

A third defendant, Gary Wilson, has already pleaded guilty and is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced next month.

The three were charged with the murder and sexual assault of 45-year-old Stone in the backyard of an Oak Street home during the 2009 Memorial Day weekend.

Superior Court Judge John Pursell rejected a motion on Wednesday by James Wronko, DiTaranto’s attorney, to either reduce his client’s bail or dismiss the indictment because of the lack of a speedy trial.

“We’re ready for a trial,” Wronko said. “I will try this case tomorrow.”

This was the fourth time that Wronko has brought this motion before the judge.

DiTaranto, being held on $1 million bail, has spent almost four years in jail since his arrest a few days after the murder. That, Wronko said, is longer than most defendants, other than those convicted of first-degree crimes, are imprisoned after they are found guilty.

Wronko also argued that no forensic evidence has been discovered that links DiTaranto to the crime. He said no blood was found on DiTaranto’s clothing and all DNA tests have been negative.

What is delaying the case is the issue of whether an expert will be allowed to testify that a confession by Granskie was false. That issue has gone to the appellate court, which is expected to rule in late May.

Another factor is that Granskie has a new lawyer, Tina Frost. His first lawyer, Katharine Errickson, is no longer on the case.

Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Rocchietti said Wednesday that the appellate ruling may determine if the expert’s testimony—which could say that Granskie’s confession was false because of drug addiction or withdrawal symptoms—will be allowed in a hearing to determine if that confession can be used in trial.

“The state is confident that the statement will be found to be admissible,” Rocchietti said.

Rocchietti also said that a trial date cannot be set until all pre-trial motions are settled.

But Wronko argued that the outcome of that matter is irrelevant to DiTaranto.

“It really has nothing to do with us,” he said.

Wilson, Granskie and DiTaranto were charged with killing Stone in the backyard of the Bradley Gardens home she shared with Granskie’s father. The murder took place at the end of a party where authorities said the defendants were drinking and taking drugs.

In his guilty plea, Wilson told the judge that after he and his friends became intoxicated, DiTaranto then led Stone, who was also intoxicated, into the backyard where DiTaranto had sex with Stone on the ground, keeping his hands on her neck to keep her down. After DiTaranto had sex with her, Wilson said he was supposed to have sex with her, but was not able to. 

Wilson said he dropped a cinderblock three times on Stone’s head to keep her quiet.

According to a plea agreement with the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, Wilson, 28, will be sentenced to 45 years in state prison.

Because it is a first-degree crime, Wilson will have to serve 85 percent of the sentence, or 38 years, before being eligible for parole.

As part of the agreement, Wilson also agreed to testify against DiTaranto and Granskie.