A judge showed sympathy for a northern New Jersey man who said he snapped watching the sexual abuse trial of former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky and killed his former Boy Scout leader for allegedly sexually abusing him.
Judge Thomas Chritchley apologized to Clark Fredericks as he sentenced the confessed killer to five years in prison for the 2012 stabbing death of Dennis Pegg, a Sussex County sheriff's officer and onetime scout leader. Fredericks will be eligible for parole in nine months when time he's already served in prison is taken into account.
Clark Fredericks admitted killing Pegg during an emotional court hearing in June.
"From the time I was 8 years old until I was 12, I was sexually assaulted and raped by Dennis Pegg," Fredericks said at the time.
He said he never told anyone about the rapes even as, he claimed, Pegg also raped his best friend Jeff. Jeff committed suicide in 1983, Fredericks said.
Fredericks said he felt that Pegg, as a cop, was untouchable.
But in 2012, he watched the sexual abuse trial of Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky and then his conviction on June 11. "The next day, June 12, my shell cracked," he said.
Fredericks said he got drunk, snorted cocaine, and with friend Bob Reynolds -- whom police arrested as an accomplice -- went to Pegg's Stillwater home with a hunting knife Pegg had given him back in scouting. He admitted that he repeatedly stabbed Pegg and slit his throat.
Despite the savage nature of the killing, the prosecutor accepted a passion-provocation guilty plea, meaning Fredericks faced a possible sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison.
"Dennis Pegg not only stole my childhood, but he affected how I lived my whole life," Fredericks said in court Thursday.
Police are investigating after a woman says she was sexually assaulted and robbed as she walked home from a bus stop in New Jersey the day after Thanksgiving.
The woman was walking from a stop on Main Avenue near Poplar Avenue in Hacksensack the night of Friday, Nov. 27 when she noticed a man following her, police said.
The man approached the woman while holding a handgun near Poplar and Grand avenues and demanded money, then sexually assaulted her, police said. He then ran away.
The suspect was described as being about 30 to 40 years old, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, and was wearing a bubble vest over a long dark coat, and dark colored jeans and dark colored sneakers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hackensack police at 201-646-7743.
Six people were injured during a multi-vehicle crash that shutdown I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia during the morning rush hour Friday.
The crash happened about 8:25 a.m. in the southbound lanes near Cottman Avenue.
Police say a total of five cars were involved in the crash, which included an overturned van.
Six people were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The lanes were reopened about 9:30 a.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
A New Jersey ISIS supporter pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring with others to help ISIS, admitting that members of his terror cell discussed attacking Times Square and 1 World Trade Center with “homemade bombs.”
Nader Saadeh, 20, said his brother and others shared diagrams of how to build bombs as part of their meetings earlier this year in New Jersey and on Staten Island.
“Did they discuss the following possible targets for the bombing attack: 1 World Trade Center … Times Square … Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology?” Judge Sarah Wigenton asked during the hearing.
“Yes,” Saadeh said.
Saadeh was part of a group of six homegrown ISIS supporters arrested by the FBI this summer in New York and New Jersey before they could acquire any weapons. Several of the suspects had said their first goal was to travel overseas to join with ISIS fighters.
Thursday’s plea hearing was the first time prosecutors detailed some of the specific targets in the New York area that were being scouted for an attack.
In September, Samuel Topaz also pleaded guilty. His lawyer at that time said the group had discussed buying guns and trying to travel to Washington D.C. to try to shoot tourists taking pictures outside the White House.
Vaughn Aeronautical College near LaGuardia Airport was also talked about as a possible target, apparently because accused co-conspirator Munther Omar Saleh was a one-time student there.
The FBI said all of the the suspects watched ISIS videos. Before his capture, Saadeh did fly overseas to try to join with ISIS fighters in Syria. He tried to travel through Turkey to join the group.
When Wigenton asked Saadeh if he was aware ISIS had been designated a terror organization, Saadeh said, "Yes." He also said he understood any attack would be carried out in the group's name.
Saadeh faces about 15 years when he is sentenced in March.
NBC10 and Telemundo62 are helping bring holiday fun to you and your entire family along the Delaware River waterfront.
The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest and ice skating rink on Penn’s Landing has something for everyone throughout the winter -- even on warm or cold days.
NBC10 and Telemundo62 are the official broadcast partners of Philadelphia’s marquee winter attraction, offering family-friendly activities by day and amazing holiday lights, food by the Garces Group and Franklin Fountain and cocktails by night. Winterfest is open now through March.
It's free to enter the Winterfest grounds including the chalet-style Lodge, the winter garden and forest created by Delaware River Waterfront Corporation in conjunction with David Fierabend of Groundswell Design Group and to check out the beautiful Christmas tree and lights.
“Skating next to the Delaware River against the backdrop of the Ben Franklin Bridge has become a favorite winter tradition for thousands of area residents,” said Kathy Albanese, Independence Blue Cross director of corporate relations development. “We’re proud to continue supporting a Philadelphia institution that encourages everyone to enjoy fresh air and fun, and helps to make the region a healthier place to work, live, and play.”
Part of that play includes spaces to lounge about inside and outside the lodge as well as being able to get onto the ice including skating with Santa on Saturdays and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. up until Christmas. You can also check out 12 Day of Christmas Movies featuring classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas and Elf each night at 6 from Dec. 14 to 25.
And, come hungry with plenty of Garces options including Village Burger, Frohman's and Distrito.
“Garces is thrilled to be involved for the second year in a row at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest," said Garces Group vice president of operations Aaron Kleinle. "DRWC has done an exceptional job of making this a destination for not only Philadelphians, but for visitors from all over the country. Our desire to bring approachable, casual food to such a great location with an amazing partner is quite frankly, a no-brainer."
Franklin Fountain is also back -- this time serving up hot drinks and warm baked goods in a confectionery cabin.
"While the winter is typically slow in the ice cream business, we do have an extensive menu of hot soda drinks and delicious warm baked goods to attract the weather weary," said Franklin Fountain co-owner Ryan Berley.
And, be ready for Philly' best New Year's Eve celebration as the Winterfest serves as the perfect backdrop to watch the SugarHouse Casino New Year's Eve Fireworks at 6 p.m. and midnight. (NBC10 will also broadcast the fireworks display).
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is open daily through the winter. Click here for hours and directions.
Two parents face first-degree murder charges after their 8-month-old son died from numerous broken bones and head injuries at a Delaware hospital.
Delaware State Police arrested Doyle Hundley Jr., 37, and Casey Layton, 28, in their Harbeson home Thursday, more than two months after their son Aiden died at A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital.
Investigators had been to the couple’s Harbeson home before after a 911 call was made to report Aiden — then only 3 months old — was unresponsive and suffering a seizure. The child was eventually admitted to A.I. DuPont with multiple broken bones and a serious head injury, according to police.
Aiden died from his injuries in late September, after five months on life support, police said.
Police investigated the source of Aiden's injuries and said his parents, the boy’s sole caregivers, had no explanation.
Hundley and Layton face charges of first-degree murder, child endangerment and related offenses and were sent to county jail, unable to post $106,000 cash bail each.
It wasn't immediately clear whether Hundley and Layton had hired attorneys who could comment on the charges.
The couple's 2-year-old son, who didn’t appear to be harmed, was placed in the care of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families, according to police.
Police removed protesters who gathered inside City Hall Friday to voice their opposition to a divisive immigration issue.
The protest was aimed at a promise by Mayor Michael Nutter to revoke Philadelphia’s “Sanctuary City” status, which would subject immigrants to deportation.
Immigration groups gave Nutter a 48-hour deadline to sign a “people’s executive order” against deportation.
The groups delivered a petition to Nutter’s office and returned to City Hall Friday.
There were no immediate reports of any arrests, but police removed several people from inside City Hall.
Mayor-elect Jim Kenney has promised to roll back any change made by Nutter when he takes office in January.
A tractor-trailer driving on I-95 inexplicably lost control, overturned on its side and the entire crash was captured on dashcam video.
The crash happened Tuesday on I-95 near the Ridley Park exit in Delaware County.
Patrick Novak, of Newark, Delaware, was riding on I-95 in the middle lane when he lost control of his tractor-trailer.
The tractor overturned, landed on its side and slide down the highway before it finally came to a stop.
After the big-rig came to a halt, Novak can be seen on the dash-cam video crawling out and looking at the aftermath.
Novak was not seriously injured. There were no reports of any other injuries.
In an ironic twist, the song “Free Ride” by the Edgar Winter Group can be heard playing on the trailer’s radio.
Pictures posted on Novak’s Facebook page show what appears to be a rear-axle that was separated from the trailer.
The crash remains under investigation.
A mother of four and her cousin are accused of trying to burn down a South Jersey home with her children inside before attempting kidnap one daughter amid a bitter custody dispute.
Lynette McGuire, 32, and Denise Coyle, 33, cousins who both live in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, are charged with aggravated arson, attempted kidnapping and burglary.
The women set fire to McGuire's parent's home on Lafayette Court in Washington Township, New Jersey on Thursday night, according to police.
Bryan McGuire, Lynette's father, said his daughter banged on his front door demanding to see her children, who range in age from 3 to 14 years old. He didn't oblige, however, telling NBC10 "she didn't look too good."
The grandparents were granted foster rights two days before the dispute.
"I open up my shade and I looked out and it was my daughter saying 'Get my kids out of the house. I want my kids out of the house,'" he recalled.
Frightened, the children hid in the basement. Within minutes, as Bryan called police, Lynette told him the house was on fire.
The grandparents and children were able to escape the house without harm, but police said in the commotion, Coyle grabbed the 3-year-old and put her in a car.
The women tried to drive away, but police were able to stop them about a mile away and place the duo under arrest. The child was returned to the grandparents without harm.
"If not for the timely response of the Washington Township Police Department and the Washington Township Fire Department, this incident may have ended quite differently,” said Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton.
The McGuire's home suffered significant damage. They do not have insurance and are relying on the kindness of friends, neighbors and strangers.
McGuire and Coyle are being held on $100,000 bail each. Additional charges are pending.
It wasn't immediately known whether either woman has hired an attorney.
Philadelphia Police are searching for a man after he stole phones from an IKEA store.
The suspect was caught on surveillance video swiping phones off counters in the store on South Christopher Columbus Boulevard in Pennsport on November 30, police said.
After taking the phones, the suspect left the store.
To view the surveillance video, visit the Philadelphia Police YouTube channel.
If you see the suspect, do not approach him, but call 911 immediately. To submit a tip, call 215-686-8477 or text a tip to 773847. You can also submit a tip here. All tips will be kept confidential.
A man is accused of hiding in female bathroom stalls at a popular eatery for University of Delaware students.
The man, Stephen Sackett, was charged with violation of privacy and criminal trespassing.
Officers were advised on November 21 of a man hiding in stalls and unscrewing lights around him to darken the area. When police arrived, the suspect was gone.
But when police received a similar report a week later, they were able to locate the suspect and identify him.
Sackett was arrested on December 4 and released on $750 unsecured bond.
An NFL lineman is doing something remarkable to help a young girl and her family through a tough time.
Devon Still, currently a free agent, says he is taking a 13-year-old cancer patient and her family to Disney World after she was bullied.
Still posted on his personal Instagram account saying “just got off the phone with this beautiful young lady and her mom and as you can tell from her story below she is not going to let the ignorance of others stop her.”
Along with his words, Still posted screenshots of other Instagram accounts mocking the girl for her life-threatening disease. One picture was captioned “’Knock Knock’ ‘who’s there’ ‘not your white blood cells, that’s for sure.’”
Still knows all too well how terrible cancer is. His daughter Leah, 5, fought her own battle of cancer. Earlier this month, doctors found “no evidence of disease” in Leah after almost a year and a half of fighting the disease.
