WILDWOOD CREST – The man accused of shooting another to death in Wildwood Crest intends to plead self-defense, according to a SeaIsleNews.com article.
Carmine Neri, 63, was in court Wednesday, Feb. 26, for a detention hearing before Superior Court Junge Christine Smith. Neri is represented by attorney Matthew Portella.
Neri is accused of shooting and killing Joseph Falciani, 41, at a residence on East Cresse Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Neri remains in the county jail.
Police said they arrested Wildwood Crest resident Neri for Falciani’s murder. According to the police complaint, Falciani was shot as Falciani’s 10-year-old child, who was in Neri’s care, was nearby. Published reports said Falciani was Neri’s stepson.
Officers had responded to the East Cresse Avenue residence on Feb. 12 at approximately 3:45 p.m. on a report of a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, they met the 911 caller, Jenna Falciani, outside the residence, who said that the shooter was still inside.
Inside the home, officers found Neri standing in the front living room. The officers secured a black and silver Ruger LCP Max .380 caliber handgun, which was seen in Neri’s back right jeans pocket, and he was taken into custody.
Upon further investigation, the officers discovered Falciani lying on his back at the top of a staircase with a gunshot wound to the chest. Life-saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful, and Falciani was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Wildwood Crest Police Department initiated an investigation, including witness interviews, forensic evidence collection and the execution of search warrants.
Witness statements from two people present at the time of the incident indicated that an argument between Neri and Falciani on the second floor had escalated. A single gunshot was heard, and witnesses discovered Falciani lying at the top of the staircase while Neri held a firearm.
Additional witness testimony and forensic evidence supported these accounts, law enforcement officials said.
A search of the residence led to the recovery of a spent shell casing, a projectile and multiple electronic devices. Investigators also noted that an office door near the shooting scene displayed damage consistent with being forcibly kicked in.
Based on the evidence, Neri was charged with first-degree murder; second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
He was subsequently lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center pending further proceedings.
