the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — A possible plea deal is being negotiated in the case of David Allen Hagal, a Franklin Lakes man accused of brutally killing his 87-year-old father in December 2023.
During a recent court appearance, defense attorney Jessica Kitzman informed Superior Court Judge James Sattely that she had submitted a mental health expert’s report to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and proposed a counter plea offer.
🔍 Details of the Case
David Allen Hagal, 60, is accused of killing his father, George J. Hagal, in their Haddon Place home using a combination of violent methods: allegedly beating him with a metal pipe, stabbing him with a kitchen knife, and ultimately drowning him in a bucket of water, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Following the incident, Hagal reportedly walked into the Franklin Lakes Police Department and confessed to the killing.
⚖️ Plea Deal Negotiations and Mental Health Evaluation
Kitzman revealed that Hagal is willing to plead guilty to second-degree reckless manslaughter, which carries a sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000. Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, Hagal would be required to serve 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Prosecutor Stephen Bollenbach said he had only briefly reviewed the mental health findings and would need time to consult with his superiors and the victim’s family before deciding on the plea offer.
Despite no final decision, both sides expressed interest in continuing negotiations. Judge Sattely scheduled the next status conference for June 25.
🚨 Current Charges
Hagal is currently facing charges including:
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First-degree murder
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Weapons offenses
📌 What Comes Next
The court will reconvene on June 25, where it is expected that both prosecution and defense will further discuss the plea terms in light of the mental health report. The outcome could significantly impact how the case proceeds, particularly if the court accepts the reduced charge of second-degree reckless manslaughter.
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5-10 years for a brutal murder? Only in new jersey
In NJ that’s a long sentence
The guy is not crazy. He’s trying the crazy defense, but it was clearly about money.