Murderer Must Be At Sentencing, Court Rules

Guiseppe Tedesco will sit in court Wednesday morning and hear the Ruggieri family explain how their world has been shattered since March 27, 2010.

Tedesco, convicted of killing Alyssa Ruggieri of Hopatcong nearly three years ago, is now required by law to be at his sentencing March 20 despite filing a request to be absent, according to nj.com.

Last week, Superior Court Judge Peter Conforti, , but the to write briefs explaining their cases.

The opinion was published Monday afternoon, nj.com reported. “(The) defendant may not sue the waiver process to diminish in any way the victim’s well-recognized right to meaningfully participate in the criminal just system…” Appellate Judge Anthony Parrillo said in the ruling, according to nj.com.

Tedesco was found guilty on Jan. 10 after a month-long trial in which he claimed self-defense.

With the verdict, Tedesco faces a maximum penalty of life in prison plus 20 years.