NEW BRUNSWICK – A Middlesex County jury sitting in New Brunswick found a 24-year-old Jamesburg man guilty for killing his father and another man in 2019 after a two-week trial, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone.
Jaree Kitchen was also found guilty of aggravated arson, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of desecrating human remains and tampering with evidence related to the murders, according to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office on June 6.
During the trial, which began on May 16, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Amber Gibbs and Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Lavery presented evidence and testimony showing that Kitchen had recently returned to Jamesburg from Georgia to live with his father, Clifford Kitchen Jr., but soon after his arrival the father and son began having significant issues, according to the prosecutor’s office.
On Nov. 4, 2019, Kitchen fatally stabbed his father and Gregory Fisher, 53, at their Jamesburg resident following a physical altercation. On Nov. 6, 2019, Kitchen set the Sheridan Street home on fire in an effort to destroy and cover up the murders, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The jury came back with the verdict on June 1.
The investigation was led by Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Sgt. Deon McCall and Sgt. Kevin Wilson, Detective Sgt. Jason Muller and Detective Jim Dennis of the Jamesburg Police Department.
Sentencing is currently scheduled for Oct. 28 before Middlesex Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Buck.