Nassau Man Arraigned On Charges Of Murdering Wife: DA

MERRICK, NY — John Gerges, who is charged with strangling his wife to death earlier this year, was arraigned today on the charges against him.

Gerges, 60, was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree strangulation. He is due back in court on June 9. If convicted of the top charge, he could face 25 years to life in prison.

“This defendant allegedly strangled his wife after an argument inside their home,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “These allegations represent the tragedy of family violence and my heart goes out to Mrs. Gerges’ son and other family members as they continue to mourn the loss of Marvat.”

According to Singas, around 3 a.m. on Feb. 22, Gerges strangled his 58-year-old wife, Marvat, inside their home in Merrick. The couple had gotten into an argument about the bathroom sink, Singas said. Marvat was homebound due to severe arthritis.

Marvat was found by the couple's son around 2:30 p.m. laying on a bed in the guest bedroom with marks around her neck. The son called immediately called 911, and paramedics pronounced Marvat dead.

Singas said that Gerges was not home when his wife's body was found, and did not return home until the following morning. He was questioned by Nassau County police and then arrested.