Two Teens Arrested In Beating Death Of Brick Man

Two teens are in custody and facing charges of felony murder after they allegedly assaulted and robbed a Brick man before the man died Tuesday evening, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Thursday.

The victim was identified as Thomas Sudano Jr., 35, of Brick. After he was beaten on Saturday, he was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he died three days later.

Asbury Park Police received a 911 call at about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday on a report of an individual being assaulted. Police responded to Asbury Park Gardens, 1100 Atlantic Ave. in Asbury Park, where they discovered the victim unconscious. 

An investigation revealed that Sudano arrived at the apartment complex shortly before 12:30 a.m. on July 27, and was allegedly confronted by Spencer S. Young, 19, of 1141 Sewall Ave. in Asbury Park, and a 17-year-old juvenile male, according to the prosecutor's office.

During the confrontation, Young and his juvenile co-defendant allegedly punched and kicked Sudano on his head and body, rendering him unconscious. As part of the assault, the pair also stole personal items from Sudano.

Young was initially charged with first degree robbery, but charges were upgraded to felony murder  Thursday after it was determined that Sudano died as a result of the injuries inflicted on him. The juvenile was also charged today with one count of felony murder.

The juvenile, who is charged with felony murder and robbery, was turned over to juvenile detention authorities where he is presently in custody.

Young is lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of 1,000,000 bail with no 10 percent option, which was set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Honora O’Brien Kilgallen.

Anyone with information on this case should contact Detective Edwin Hennelly of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443 or Detective Steven Ramseur of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-502-4587.

A conviction of Felony Murder carries a maximum sentence of life in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the provisions of the “No Early Release Act” (NERA). A conviction for first degree Robbery carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, which is also subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA). NERA requires a defendant to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.