A Carteret man has been sentenced to life in prison for strangling and robbing a woman before setting fire to her home in the Avenel section of Woodbridge more than two years ago.
Harpal Singh, 48, also was ordered to serve 85 percent of the term, or 63 years and nine months, before he can be eligible for parole for killing Balwinder Kaur, 44, of Jansen Avenue, on Feb. 14, 2011.
He was sentenced in New Brunswick by Superior Court Judge Diane Pincus on Dec. 23 after he was convicted on Oct. 7 of felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, robbery, aggravated arson and hindering his apprehension.
During a trial that began on Sept. 10, Middlesex County assistant prosecutors Scott LaMountain, Joseph Surman and Neil Casey presented evidence and testimony showing the defendant broke into the victim’s home and strangled her. During the break-in, Singh stole cash and jewelry before setting fire to the victim’s house to conceal the crime. He then fled.
An investigation by Detective Shayne Bodnar of the Woodbridge Police Department and Investigator Michael Daniewicz of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office led to the arrest of Singh, who was apprehended outside his home on March 11, 2011.
The investigation began when a passerby saw flames coming from the victim’s home and called police. Once inside the burning building, firefighters discovered the victim and brought her outside. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office subsequently determined that Kaur had been strangled.