the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Midland Park NJ, the New Jersey Appellate Court has upheld the life sentence for former NYPD officer Arthur Lomando, denying his appeal for a new trial in the 2015 machete murder of his ex-girlfriend, Suzanne Bardzell, outside her Midland Park home.
Chilling Details of the 2015 Homicide
In a crime that shocked New Jersey, Lomando waited in hiding for over 90 minutes outside Bardzell’s residence. When she returned home from her job at Community High School in Teaneck, he ambushed her, smashed her car window, and stabbed her more than 30 times with a 15-inch machete-style knife.
2019 Trial and Conviction
Lomando stood trial in 2019 and was convicted of first-degree murder, receiving a life sentence without parole. Prosecutor Anthony Talarico argued the killing was a calculated act of revenge, sparked by a restraining order Bardzell had obtained weeks prior.
Mental Health Defense Rejected
Lomando’s defense hinged on his history of bipolar disorder, claiming it impaired his emotional control. Their forensic psychiatrist acknowledged Lomando knew what he was doing, but argued that his disorder triggered overwhelming anger and impaired judgment.
The state’s psychiatric expert disagreed, saying bipolar disorder did not cause a break from reality or cognitive incapacity.
Controversial Evidence and Suicide Attempt
After the murder, Lomando attempted suicide by jumping in front of a subway train in Manhattan. He lost both legs but survived. A responding NYPD officer discovered a suicide note on his phone, which included a confession.
Despite defense attempts to suppress the phone evidence, the court ruled the search was lawful, as Lomando was already a suspect.
Appeal Claims and Court’s Response
Lomando’s legal team presented multiple arguments in their appeal, including:
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Improper testimony from the prosecution’s psychiatric expert
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Failure to tailor jury instructions regarding diminished capacity
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Misconduct in the prosecution’s closing arguments
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Illegal search and seizure of his phone
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Excessive sentencing
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Improper use of witness statements by the prosecution expert
However, the Appellate Division rejected all claims, stating:
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Jury instructions followed established legal precedent
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Prosecutor’s actions did not deny Lomando a fair trial
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Psychiatric testimony did not improperly influence the jury
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Use of the suicide note was lawful and admissible
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Life sentence was justified due to the case’s “extraordinary brutality”
The court noted that the attack was captured on surveillance video, which the trial judge described as “difficult to watch.”
Final Verdict: No New Trial
The court concluded that there was no abuse of discretion in any aspect of the original trial and that the sentence was “amply supported by the record.” The rejection of mitigating factors and the acceptance of aggravating factors were both upheld.
A Case That Highlights Domestic Violence
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic abuse and unresolved mental health issues. Suzanne Bardzell’s tragic death continues to resonate in the community nearly a decade later.
If you or someone you know is in a dangerous domestic situation, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.
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