Mercer County Man Indicted In Attempted Murder Of 91-Year-Old Woman: Prosecutor

A 22-year-old Trenton man has been indicted in connection with the attempted murder of a 91-year-old Ewing resident, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said on Tuesday.

Joseph Blanche, 22, was indicted on one count of first degree attempted murder, one count of first degree robbery, one count of first degree kidnapping, one count of second degree burglary, one count of second degree aggravated assault, one count of third degree criminal restraint, one count of third degree theft and one count of third degree endangering an injured victim.

He remains in the Mercer County Correction Center in lieu of $400,000 bail.

Police believe Blanche is one of two men who broke into the home belonging to Doris Geisel on March 29 of this year, tied her up, beat her and ransacked her house, stealing money and valuables.

Geisel suffered serious injuries and was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. She died on April 20, but an autopsy conducted by the Mercer County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Geisel’s death was not a result of the injuries she suffered in the assault.

The other man remains unidentified and at-large, and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Nicholas Muscente at the Ewing Township Police Department, 609-882-7522, or the Ewing Police Tip Line at 609-882-7530.