What You Need to Know About the Ruggieri Murder Case

A year ago today, Alyssa Ruggieri, 22, was found shot to death in her Hopatcong home. A Sussex County grand jury charged borough resident Giuseppe Tedesco, 25, with her murder.

Here's what you need to know about the case.

• Tedesco pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and weapons charges. His attorney, Anthony Iacullo, said Tedesco would claim self-defense at trial tentatively set for Sept. 12.
• But Tedesco has until June 6 to consider a plea offer of 30 years in prison. He's facing life in jail if convicted. Tedesco is being held on $1 million bail.
• Iacullo said he planned to file a motion to dismiss the indictment. Judge N. Peter Conforti ordered Iacullo to file it by April 18. Conforti also ordered Assistant Prosecutor Seana Pappas to respond by May 9.
• Police said Tedesco killed Ruggieri with six gunshots from a .25-caliber Beretta matching the one found in Tedesco's red Dodge Durango and registered to him. Police also said Tedesco fled the murder scene and sought treatment for an injury to his hand.
• Police said Tedesco and Ruggieri were socially acquainted.