North Brunswick deli owner convicted as accomplice to murder

Raymond Troxell, of Kendall Park in South Brunswick, faces life in prison without parole

BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

AKendall Park man was found guilty of being an accomplice to the murder of his North Brunswick deli partner, following a trial in state Superior Court, New Brunswick.

Raymond Troxell, 50, looked ahead with little emotion as the guilty verdict was delivered Friday, following more than three days of jury deliberations.

Troxell initially pleaded not guilty Dec. 22, 2008, to a complaint charging him with the murder of his business partner, Vincent Russo, 48, of Staten Island, N.Y. The two were co-owners of Mezzaluna Deli in North Brunswick, where Russo was found dead on the morning of Dec. 16, 2008, from a gunshot wound.

Frank Marsh, 45, of Lower Macungie, Pa., was also arrested and charged with murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun.

The jury found Troxell guilty of procuring the murder of Russo by payment or promise of payment to Marsh, whom Troxell had paid up to $3,000 to carry out the murder.

“It’s a just verdict,” said Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor Manuel Sameiro after the hearing.

Robert Corbin, Troxell’s lawyer, said he “thought there was more than substantial reasonable doubt, but the jury made its decision.”

Family members did not wish to make any statements, although both families were visibly and audibly upset during the verdict hearing.

Sameiro said he is unaware of a trial date for Marsh.