COURT HOUSE – On Aug. 11, 2010 Ronald M. Denny, Sr. was shot and killed. He was standing in front of his home in the Del Haven section of Middle Township. The alleged perpetrator was not a stranger. The police charged his uncle, Frederick G. Marr with the killing. Denny was 50 at the time of his death and the father of three. His uncle was 70 at the time of the homicide.
After the incident, Marr did not remain at the scene but fled to Florida where he was apprehended and returned to New Jersey two weeks later.
The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees a speedy trial. New Jersey, like all states, has a Speedy Trial Rule. It is based on the common law and requires the evaluation of several factors. They include: the length of the delay; the reason for the delay; the defendant’s assertion of a right to a speedy trial; any prejudice toward the defendant caused by a delay. The rule is generally interpreted as being in favor of protecting the defendant.
In the Marr case there have been several delays. In the latest hearing held before Superior Court Judge Patricia Wilde, the issue of Marr’s ability to hear was again in question. Prosecutor Robert Taylor said that every effort has been made to accommodate Marr’s hearing difficulties. “He was even supplied a court stenographer to transcribe what was being said,” Taylor stated. As the stenographer types, the words appear on a screen from which Marr can read what is being said. According to Taylor, there were reports that Marr was not paying much attention to the screen.
Stephen Funk, Marr’s latest attorney, requested an additional hearing test to determine how much hearing loss was present and what impairment that might cause during the trial.
Marr has also had a competency test. He was found competent to stand trial and aid in his own defense.
In addition to the murder charge, Marr is also charged with various weapons charges. A .45 caliber handgun was allegedly used in the commission of the crime.
Taylor said that while his Chief Assistant Prosecutor James Herlihy expressed some impatience with the numerous delays, his office would do everything according to the correct procedure to ensure a fair trial. In the meantime Marr is being held in the Cape May County Correctional Center unable to meet the $1 million bail that was set for him.
The next pre-trial hearing date is set for Feb. 21 before Judge Wilde.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.
For the Herald’s previous coverage, see:
– UPDATE: Homicide Suspect Arrested in Florida: http://goo.gl/JPPZl4
– Funeral Service Set for Middle Township Homicide Victim: http://goo.gl/hGzvdN
– Prosecutor Files Murder, Weapons Charges Against Marr: http://goo.gl/P4Ojev
– Marr Waives Extradition From Florida in Murder of Del Haven Man Last Week: http://goo.gl/ISK707
– Authorities Return Middle Township Murder Suspect to County: http://goo.gl/9REeuF
– Grand Jury Indicts Man for Murdering His Nephew: http://goo.gl/t9OcQ7
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