the staff of the Ridgewood blog
East Rutherford NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced that on April 19, 2023, FRANCIS TATTOLI of East Rutherford, NJ was sentenced to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted of murder, kidnapping, and felony murder in connection with the death of Monet Thomas in December 2016.
On December 17, 2016, FRANCIS TATTOLI was the downstairs neighbor of Monet Thomas in a building located at 258 Summer Street in East Rutherford, NJ. At approximately 9:00 p.m. that evening, while Monet Thomas was returning from walking her dog, FRANCIS TATTOLI attacked Ms. Thomas in the communal hallway of the apartment complex and dragged her by the throat into his apartment where he ultimately murdered her by strangulation.
On November 1, 2022, a jury convicted FRANCIS TATTOLI of kidnapping Ms. Thomas from the hallway of her apartment building and murdering her by strangulation. On April 19, 2023, the Honorable Margaret M. Foti, P.J.Cr., sentenced FRANCIS TATTOLI to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, for his crimes.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor David Malfitano, Detective Carl Holmsen, and Victim Witness Advocate Susan Tanis of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor Musella thanks Assistant Prosecutor Malfitano for his zealous advocacy for the victim and her family and for helping combat crimes of violence against women in Bergen County. Prosecutor Musella also commends the detectives of the Major Crimes Unit as well as members of the East Rutherford Police Department for their skill and professionalism in investigating this matter.