Manalapan Man Charged In Fatal Diner Fight Released From Jail

MANALAPAN, NJ - A Manalapan man was freed from jail Thursday, one week after he was charged with aggravated manslaughter for a fight at a diner in Lacey. Edward Chandler, 54, was charged Oct. 1 after he punched a 78-year-old man who died hours later, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels released Chandler from the Ocean County Jail after reading letters in support of the Manalapan resident, according to a report from the Asbury Park Press. Chandler's attorney also called him the unofficial mayor of his community and said he was defending a friend when he fatally punched Manchester resident Robert Clarke, the Press reports.

Related: Manalapan Man Charged In Deadly Diner Parking Lot Fight

Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Jenna Moscato asked Daniels to keep Chandler in jail without bail to await trial. The prosecutor's office declined comment to Patch.

Moscato further stated that a friend of Chandler had his back turned in the diner’s parking lot when Clarke started rushing toward him, The Press reports. The Manalapan man heard someone say “knife," and he punched Clarke once in the face.

The fight occurred at about 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30, the prosecutor’s office said. An argument started in the area of the Lakeside Diner, and the owner asked those involved to leave the premises, authorities said. A second argument started nearby, and Chandler struck Clarke with a closed fist, according to the prosecutor’s office.

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