Somerset Man Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Woman To Be Held In Jail

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A Somerset man accused of stabbing a woman to death and charged at police with a knife will remain in jail.

On Wednesday, Craig Montgomery, 60, of Somerset, appeared before Judge Robert Wilson for his first court appearance, where Montgomery consented to detention.

At the hearing, Montgomery's defense attorney confirmed he spoke with Montgomery and advised him that he could revisit this decision in June.

Wilson then began the first appearance and advised Montgomery of his rights and the next steps in the case.

"Your case will automatically be referred to the Somerset County Grand Jury, which consists of 23 citizens and which will hear evidence generally presented by the state alone, and it will decide whether to indict you or return what is called a no bill," Wilson said.

The judge also told him, "In the normal course of events, you can expect to receive decisions from the grand jury in a couple of months."

During the appearance, it was noted that there was audio of the alleged fight on Oct. 6.

Defense counsel asked to receive discovery, "and specifically the audio and the statement."

Montgomery's next hearing is set for Nov. 22.

Murder Charge

Craig Montgomery, 60, of Somerset, was charged with first-degree murder and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the death of a woman at an apartment on Majesty Lane in the Somerset Park community, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

• Related: SWAT Breaches NJ Apartment To End Standoff After Man Kills Woman, Police Say

On Tuesday at around 10:11 p.m., a 911 call reported hearing loud arguing and requested a welfare check on an apartment on Majesty Lane in the Somerset Park community.

Franklin Township police officers tried several times to contact the residents but were unsuccessful.

Police then got another call with further concerns for the same apartment, said McDonald.

Officers went back to the apartment, and while trying to get inside the apartment, they reportedly encountered Montgomery.

Montgomery told officers that he had a knife and had barricaded himself in the apartment, said McDonald.

At around 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, members of the Somerset County SWAT team, the Crisis-Negotiations Team and SWAT Tactical Medics came to help.

SWAT team members were able to breach a sliding door and enter the apartment.

Once inside, Montgomery allegedly charged at officers with a knife.

Using "less than lethal force," SWAT members were able to subdue Montgomery and take him into custody without incident, said McDonald.

While in the apartment, police reportedly found an unresponsive adult woman with apparent stab wounds to her chest. She was pronounced dead.

A second person, who was also in the apartment, was unharmed, authorities said.

Montgomery was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation and treatment of minor injuries.

Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department, along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Medical Investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office investigated.

Authorities have not released the identity of the adult woman pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The investigation remains ongoing.

On Oct. 7, Montgomery was served with the charges.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via OPS Tips.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All tips will be kept confidential.

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