Former Bergen County Lacrosse Star Pleads Not Guilty To Murdering Mother: Report

Nicholas Piotti pleaded not guilty at arraignment in Bergen County Superior Court Monday to charges he fatally beat and stabbed his 63-year-old mother, Karen Piotti, last year.

Piotti was arrested and charged with murder in September 2014. The victim, Karen Piotti, was found dead of multiple stab wounds in her home after police responded to a 911 call, The Record reported. He was indicted on a first-degree murder charge and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in June.

Bergen County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Grootenboer told Superior Court Judge Margaret M. Foti that, until now, no plea deal had been offered to Piotti because his lawyer was leaning towards pursuing an insanity defense, The Record reported.

Piotti, a former Ridgewood resident and lacrosse star living in Ho-Ho-Kus, is being held on $2 million bail at the Bergen County Jail.

The next hearing in the case is Oct. 13, The Record reported.