Couple Accused In Brick Man's Murder To Remain Jailed: Report

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Monmouth County couple who have been accused of killing a Brick Township man for marijuana and money have been ordered to remain in jail following a new indictment and new detention hearing in the case, according to a report.

The Asbury Park Press reported Raquel Garajau, 20, and Joseph Villani, 21, were ordered to remain held following a hearing Monday in Superior Court in Monmouth County.

Garajau, of Tinton Falls, and Villani, of Ocean Township, are accused in the murder of Trupal Patel, 29, whose body was found lying on a hill in Shark River Park in Wall Township in February. A Monmouth County park ranger who was collecting litter in the area found Patel's body along the side of Gully Road, down a slight slope about 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 22, the Monmouth County prosecutor's office has said.

Villani was arrested three dayls later; Garajau was charged in the initial indictment in May.

Last week, after weeks of wrangling over what evidence would be permitted to be presented in court, prosecutors sought a new indictment in the case that added 11 charges to the ones the pair already was facing. That led to Judge Thoma Scully scrapping jury selection on Wednesday.

Garajau, who had been an honor student at Brookdale, and Villani both sought to be released to the custody of family members, according to the Asbury Park Press report on Monday's detention hearing. But Scully denied those requests.

The Press report said prosecutors allege the two went shopping for a ring for Garajau the day after the murder with the money taken from Patel during the murder.

Prosecutors say Patel was shot and killed at the Ocean Township home where Villani lives with his father, and that Garajau conspired with Villani to commit the crimes and aided him in destroying and concealing evidence in connection with the murder and robbery of Patel, who was a known marijuana dealer.

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Trupal Patel, photo via Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office