Man Pleads Guilty In Stabbing Death At Manchester Campground

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Seaside Heights man has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in the killing of a Manchester man in the Surf and Stream Campground in October 2019, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday.

John T. Mullen Jr., 51, is expected to receive a 30-year prison at his sentencing, scheduled for Nov. 30 before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Manchester police received multiple 911 calls from residents of the Surf and Stream Campground on Oct. 20, 2019, about a body lying in the entrance driveway and found Thomas J. Applegate, 34, of Manchester, lying there with a wound in his chest.

Applegate was pronounced dead at the scene. A joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and High Tech Crime Unit, Manchester Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined Mullen stabbed Applegate during the course of a drug deal, which ultimately resulted in Applegate's death.

"Through good old-fashioned police work, these law enforcement agencies — acting together — expeditiously solved this heinous crime and identified Mullen as the individual responsible for Mr. Applegate’s death," Billhimer said. "As a result of their tremendous teamwork, for which I am extremely grateful, this dangerous man was swiftly apprehended, and will now be required to answer for his crime with a lengthy state prison sentence. Justice for Mr. Applegate and his family will be served."

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco and Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara handled the case on behalf of the state.

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