Family Friend Betrays Essex County Father, Stabs His Son: ECPO

EAST ORANGE, NJ — He lived with his best friend rent-free for almost a year. And when Fritz Belony stabbed his former roommate’s son in the back of the neck, it was like a family member turned on them, prosecutors said.

On Tuesday, an Essex County jury convicted Belony, a 57-year-old resident of East Orange, of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Belony had been accused of stabbing his best friend’s 40-year-old son in the back of the neck. It was suspected retribution for being asked to leave the home the three men shared, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Belony had lived with the pair for almost a year rent-free at the time of the incident, prosecutors said.

“While the son has fully recovered from his injuries, he and his father are still stunned by Belony’s betrayal, given that they treated him as a member of their family,” Assistant Prosecutor Felicia Garnes said.

Belony faces up to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with no parole eligibility for eight and a half years. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 24, prosecutors said.

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