Terrorism Charges Added Against South Jersey Man Accused Of Attacking Jews

LAKEWOOD, NJ — The suspect in a string of attacks Saturday now faces a terrorism charge, as the Ocean County Prosecutor said he "intended to terrorize the Jewish community" in Lakewood and Jackson.

A judge had to mute Dion Marsh's microphone during a court hearing Wednesday, according to reports in NJ.com and the Asbury Park Press.

Officials filed additional charges against the 27-year-old from Manchester Township, said Prosecutor Bradley D. Billheimer and Lakewood Township Police Chief Greg Meyer in a joint press release. Marsh is accused of stealing a car, attacking three Orthodox Jewish men, and trying to kidnap someone over the course of about seven hours Sunday.

Video of the hearing, in which Marsh makes a number of profane outbursts, is available via the Asbury Park Press.

"I'm going to talk however the f--- I want to talk," Marsh said, when Judge Guy P. Ryan told him to stop using profanity.

As Ryan read Marsh the charge of attempted murder, the suspect broke in to say he was "pretty sure he (a victim) did die."

Ryan asked an administrator to mute the microphone, then unmuted it later to ask Marsh if he understood his rights.

“Yeah, I know my rights," Marsh told him, as quoted by both newspapers. “Do you know who the f--- I am? Do you know who the f--- I am?”

"We'll see you next week, sir," Ryan said.

On Wednesday, officials added charges of attempted murder, attempted carjacking, attempted kidnapping, and three counts of bias intimidation, Billheimer and Meyer said.

Billheimer got approval from Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin to charge Marsh with terrorism, the news release said.

"Marsh’s continuing course of conduct is alarming. A thorough review of the totality of the circumstances surrounding his intent, conduct and behavior lead us to the charge of Terrorism," Billheimer said. "We are prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that Marsh intended to terrorize the Jewish community in Lakewood and Jackson on April 8, 2022. This young man will be held accountable for this conduct."

Previously, authorities charged Marsh with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of bias intimidation, carjacking, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Two of the three men injured have been released from the hospital, Billheimer's office told Patch on Thursday. The third man is in critical, but stable condition.

Related coverage:

• Suspect In Assaults Made Antisemitic Comments To Police, Records Show
  
• Ocean County Jewish Community Shaken After 3 Men Attacked
• Man Faces Bias Charges In Stabbing, Hit-And-Runs In Lakewood, Jackson