Howard Johnson Stabbing In Toms River Draws 15-Year Prison Sentence

TOMS RIVER, NJ — An Atlantic County man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in the 2021 stabbing of a woman at the Howard Johnson motel in Toms River, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.

Carles E. Bryant, 36, of Millville, was sentenced Thursday on a charge of attempted murder to the prison term by Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Bryant, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder on Sept. 1, 2021, must serve 85 percent of the sentence — 12 years, 9 months — before he is eligible for parole.

Toms River police were called to the Howard Johnson on Hooper Avenue about 10:30 p.m. on March 3, 2021 about a fight in the lobby between a man and a woman, and found a woman unresponsive with multiple stab wounds to the head, face, and body, Billhimer said. The woman was treated at a local hospital and eventually released, he said.

An arrest warrant was issued for Bryant the next day, and he was finally arrested on March 19, 2021 in Atlantic City by the U.S Marshals Service, Billhimer said. He has been held at the Ocean County Jail since then.

In May, Toms River officials honored Christina Cobb, who was working the front desk the night of the stabbing, for her efforts to aid the woman.

Cobb was alone at the front desk when the woman came running toward her, asking for help. The woman was being chased by Bryant, who was stabbing her in the head and body and caused "multiple lacerations," Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little said.

Cobb intervened, "by physically moving the suspect away and pulling the victim to safety," Little said in May. Cobb called 911 and provided first aid to the woman until authorities arrived.

"Ms. Cobb should be commended for her courageous and brave actions, not only putting her own life at risk, but saving the life of another," Little said during the May ceremony. Read more: Three Toms River Citizens Honored For Stopping Attacks, Saving Child

Billhimer said the following people and agencies were involved in the case: Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni; the Major Crime, High Tech Crime and Victim Witness Advocacy units of the prosecutor's office; Toms River police; the U.S. Marshals Service; New Jersey State Police, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

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