By Davy James, Staff Writer
A Kendall Park resident is facing murder charges following the shooting death of his business partner in a North Brunswick deli on Dec. 15.
Raymond Troxell, 49, of Christopher Avenue, and Frank Marsh, 44, of Lower Macungie, Pa., were arrested Dec. 18 without incident and charged with the murder of Vincent Russo, 48, of Staten Island, N.Y., according to the Middlesex County prosecutor’s office.
Mr. Troxell and Mr. Russo were co-owners of the Mezzaluna Deli in North Brunswick since the summer of 2008. Mr. Russo was last seen alive at approximately 6:45 p.m. Dec. 15 and was discovered by family members at the deli at approximately 6:30 a.m. Dec. 16, according to a press release from the prosecutor’s office.
A joint investigation conducted by the Middlesex County prosecutor’s office and the North Brunswick Police Department led to the arrests of Mr. Troxell and Mr. Marsh, according to the release.
An autopsy performed by Assistant Middlesex Medical Examiner Frederick DeCarlo determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound. Dr. DeCarlo determined the death to be a homicide, according to the release.
Mr. Marsh also was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the release.
Arraignment was held Dec. 22 with bail set at $2.5 million for both men. Mr. Troxell’s attorney, Robert Corbin, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Mr. Troxell is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick in lieu of bail. Mr. Marsh still is being held in Pennsylvania awaiting extradition, according to Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor Julie Davidson.
Ms. Davidson would not comment further on the case and calls to the deli were not answered.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Investigator Paul Miller of the Middlesex County prosecutor’s office at 732-745-4466 or Detective John Ambrosino of the North Brunswick Police Department at 732-545-3200.
