Charged with killing three North Hanover residents in January, he could face the death penalty.
By: David Koch
NORTH HANOVER A Monroe man charged with killing three North Hanover residents in January could face the death penalty, said Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi.
Brian J. Tykot, 35, of Monroe was indicted by a Burlington County grand jury May 16 on 12 counts in connection with the shooting deaths of Gary Nevius, 49, his brother, Edward Nevius, 43, and Jill Fort, 43.
The three North Hanover residents were discovered dead in their mobile home at the California Village Trailer Park on Jan. 5 by an acquaintance.
Mr. Tykot, a floor installer, was charged with the murders Jan. 10 after an investigation by State Police detectives.
The grand jury charged Mr. Tykot with three counts of capital murder, three counts of felony murder based on allegations that each of the three victims were killed by the defendant during a robbery, one count of armed robbery, one count of burglary, two counts of possession of weapons for an unlawful purpose, one count of hindering apprehension and one count of criminal contempt, county prosecutors said.
Felony murder convictions carry a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
A capital murder conviction can carry the death penalty if it’s proven that the accused conducted the murders with purposeful intent, said Mr. Bernardi.
State police said the three residents were murdered in the early morning hours during an armed robbery of their home. An acquaintance discovered the three bodies later that day and contacted police from a nearby diner.
New Jersey State Police from the Fort Dix and Red Lion stations were notified of the incident at 7:15 p.m. Jan. 5 by Burlington County Central Communications.
State Police arrived in the trailer park at 7:37 p.m. and met with North Hanover police, who were already at the scene. An initial investigation of the mobile home showed forced entry and that victims had died as a result of being shot, county prosecutors said.
Police said Mr. Tykot was believed to have a shotgun and a knife with him when he allegedly committed the murders, said Mr. Bernardi.
Gary Nevius was the owner of Precision Vision Satellite Inc., a satellite television business in Cream Ridge.
An arraignment date for Mr. Tykot has not yet been scheduled, said Mr. Bernardi.
Mr. Tykot is currently being held at Burlington County Jail in lieu of a $1 million bail.