Man Charged In Triple Homicide Had Restraining Order Lifted The Day Before The Killings: Report

NEW MILFORD, N.J. - The man accused of fatally shooting two neighbors and their mother last week allegedly threatened to kill the husband last month.

Jonathan Frederick Sander, 52, made his first appearance in court Monday. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Sandy Mazzella, 47, his wife, Stephanie, 43, and his mother, Elaine, 76, the Charlotte News & Observer reported. They were found dead Friday night at their home. Sandy Mazzella grew up in New Milford.

Neighbors said in the report that Sander and Sandy Mazzella worked for the same landscaping business and had been arguing for months, the report said.

Sandy Mazzella, the company's president, filed a temporary restraining order against Sander on Feb. 25, the News & Observer previously reported. Sander allegedly threatened to kill Sandy Mazzella. Mazzella said in his request, Sander made "threatening texts, phone calls, and in-person threats."

The restraining order was lifted Thursday because Richard Sussman said, "the judge said it was just words. The next day, he killed everyone."

As Sander was escorted out of the courtroom, Richard Sussman, Sandy Mazzella's brother and Elaine Mazzella's son shouted "Hey Sander, you rot in hell, you piece of garbage," the report said.

The Mazzella's 14-year-old daughter and Sandy Mazzella's father were also in the house when the shootings happened, but were not harmed, published reports said. The couple also has a 7-year-old son.

Sobbing and screaming, the daughter called 9-1-1 and allegedly told the dispatcher she was in her room when a man shot her parents.

She reportedly told the dispatcher that "there was blood everywhere."

Sander's next court appearance is April 18, the report said.