Charges Upgraded Against Fair Lawn Man After Assault Victim Dies: Prosecutor

FAIR LAWN, N.J. — Charges against a borough man were upgraded to manslaughter after the 64-year-old victim he assaulted died from his injuries Tuesday, said Gurbir S. Grewal, Bergen County's acting prosecutor.

Steven Duckack, 59, was initially charged with assault Sept. 28 after he reportedly hit a 64-year-old North Haledon resident at his girlfriend's house, Grewal said. The victim was taken to the hospital where his condition worsened and he died Tuesday from injuries he sustained during the assault, Grewal said.

Duckack was initially charged with second degree-aggravated assault, but that charge was upgraded to second degree-manslaughter Tuesday, Grewal said.

Duckack is scheduled to appear before Judge James Guida Friday in Bergen County Superior Court on the manslaughter charge, the prosecutor said. His bail will be continued at $250,000 with no 10 percent option at that proceeding, Grewal said.

As a condition of his bail, Duckack is required to surrender his passport and is not permitted to possess firearms.

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Photo: Steven Duckack, 59, of Fair Lawn — Bergen County Prosecutor's Office