Brick Woman Pleads Guilty In Stabbing Death Of Fiancé

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township woman has pleaded guilty to stabbing and killing her fiancé, but she will receive a reduced sentence because of what prosecutors said were legitimate self-defense claims.

Ciara Williams, 27, pleaded guilty Thursday to reckless manslaughter before Ocean County Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Williams is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 4, and said the state will be seeking a five-year prison sentence.

"Although Ms. Williams was originally facing more significant charges ... legitimate self-defense claims arose during the course of our investigation which we simply could not ignore," Billhimer said. "The claims of self-defense, combined with considerable proof problems, led to this resolution which we believe to be just and reasonable after careful consideration of the facts under circumstances."

Brick police were called to Ocean Medical Center on Sept. 29 after Dennis Power, 35, arrived at the hospital with a stab wound to his chest. Police learned Power was driven to the hospital by Williams.

Hospital staff found Power unconscious but breathing and tried to save his life, but Power succumbed to his injuries, Billhimer said. Williams left the hospital before police arrived.

The investigation found Williams had stabbed Power in the chest and was responsible for the injuries which ultimately led to his death, Billhimer said. But authorities "simply could not ignore" what Billhimer said were legitimate self-defense claims that the prosecutor's office was "required to take into account in evaluating this very difficult case."

Billhimer thanked Senior Assistant Prosecutors Kristin Pressman and Mara Brater, who handled the case; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their investigation.

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