COURT HOUSE – Derrick Powers, 23, briefly appeared in Courtroom C, Sept. 9 before Cape May County Superior Court Judge John Porto for a status and bail application hearing. Powers is accused of murdering 15-year-old Nicole Angstadt on Dec. 14, 2015, with co-defendant Charles Mosley, 33. Both are from Middle Township.
Both men are charged with murder and related offenses for the murder of Angstadt whose dismembered body was recovered beneath a vacant house in the 100 block of Vermont Ave. in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township.
As Powers entered the courtroom, he looked squarely in the direction of the Angstadt’s family who sat in the second row wearing purple shirts with “Nikki,” a reference to Nicole’s nickname, on the front.
Porto accepted Powers’ plea of not guilty by his attorney Stephen Funk while Powers stood mute and showed no emotion during the 10-minute proceeding.
First Assistant County Prosecutor Robert Johnson provided the court and the defense with his timetable to complete the state’s “discovery” obligations.
“Discovery” refers to the prosecution’s obligation to allow the defense to know all possible and relevant evidence and information that they intend to use against the accused before the trial begins.
Johnson noted that the sheer volume of interviews, video, and written statements, plus forensic reports including hair sample analysis and shoe impression analysis would require several weeks to process to limit any undue delays in the judicial process. This explanation was accepted by the court and the defense.
Johnson also requested that the court schedule future appearances to ensure that both Powers and Mosley are scheduled to appear in court on the same day because the victim’s family will attend each appearance for both defendants.
Johnson indicated that scheduling separate court dates would be an undue burden on the family. The defense had no objection.
The next hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18 when the judge anticipates discovery will be completed and pre-trial motions can begin from that point.
There was no discussion on bail for Powers; he remains at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
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