Crime & Safety
Hasbrouck Heights Landlord, 84, Indicted In Murder Of Tenant, Report Says
John C. Wisse allegedly shot and killed Gerald Velardi Jr. in his home.
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. — An 84-year-old landlord was indicted this week on a murder charge stemming from the 2015 shooting death of Gerald Velardi, a tenant in the man's building, NorthJersey.com reported.
The murder charge was upgraded from aggravated manslaughter by a Bergen County grand jury, the report said.
John C. Wisse called 9-1-1 last August and said that a downstairs tenant had been shot, authorities said at the time of his arrest.
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A verbal argument allegedly took place and Velardi was shot once in the chest, authorities said; his body was found in the back of the house. Wisse was found upstairs with a .38-caliber handgun, authorities said.
Neighbors said there was tension between Velardi and Wisse about the house possibly being sold, NorthJersey.com's report stated.
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Wisse plead not guilty to the charges of aggravated manslaughter and illegal weapons possession.
Wisse, who remains in Bergen County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 12, the report stated.
Photo: John C. Wisse — Law enforcement photo
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