Door-To-Door Salesman Indicted In Fatal Ocean County Stabbing

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A door-to-door salesman from Middlesex County has been indicted in the stabbing death of a Jackson man in May 2022, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday.

Michael H. Tsamas, 33, of the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge Township, was indicted Wednesday on charges of aggravated manslaughter, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, in connection with the death of Joseph Delgardio, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Jackson police were called about 6:15 p.m. May 26 to West Veterans Highway and Conor Road and found Delgardio, 44, lying in a pool of blood in the middle of the road, with firefighters performing CPR. Delgardio did not survive, and was pronounced dead at the scene, the prosecutor's office said.

The investigation found Tsamas was working for a company hired by Verizon to solicit customers on a door-to-door basis. He knocked on Delgardio’s door in an attempt to solicit his business, and after Delgardio said he wasn't interested, Tsamas left Delgardio’s residence. A short time later, Delgardio confronted Tsamas on the street and a fight ensued. During the fight, Tsamas pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed Delgardio in the neck. , the prosecutor's office said.

Tsamas was arrested at the scene and taken to the Ocean County Jail but later was released from pending trial as a consequence of New Jersey bail reform, Billhimer said.

Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni presented the case to the grand jury. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime and High Tech Crime units, Jackson Townshipo police and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit cooperated on the investigation.