Manchester Man, 78, Dies After Assault At Lacey Diner: Prosecutor

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Monmouth County man has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of a Manchester Township man, who died after he was punched in the head during a fight outside the Lakeside Diner in Lacey on Wednesday, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Robert Clarke, 78, of Whiting, died about 1:30 a.m. Thursday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Clarke was flown to the hospital after he was found unconscious and bleeding from an apparent head wound outside the diner about 7:30 p.m., he said.

Edward C. Chandler, 54, of Manalapan, initially was charged with aggravated assault, Billhimer said, but that charge was upgraded to aggravated manslaughter following Clarke's autopsy.

The Ocean County medical examiner ruled Clarke's death a homicide and said it was caused by "a closed head injury secondary to a fall," the prosecutor said. Based on the findings and information learned during the investigation so far, Chandler was identified as the person responsible.

Investigators learned there had been an argument inside the diner between members of a motorcycle club. The owner of the diner, Brian Brindisi, asked everyone involved in the argument to leave the premises.

Once outside, a second argument started in the parking lot, Billhimer said. During the argument, Chandler punched Clarke, knocking him to the ground, "resulting in severe head trauma," Billhimer said. The nature of the argument was not released.

"This is an active and ongoing investigation. We are continuing to interview potential witnesses," Billhimer said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit are investigating.

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