Man Likely Headed to Prison after Pleading Guilty to Murder of Girlfriend in Waldwick, NJ

A man who allegedly murdered his ex-girlfriend at a Waldwick NJ home has pleaded guilty to first degree murder charges.

The murder happened in Waldwick New Jersey on October 23, 2013. According to Bergen County officials, 22-year-old Mark J. Spatucci strangled 23-year-old Mary Greff to death at a Waldwick house owned by her parents.

Spatucci and Greff had been romantically involved and had a 10-month-old infant son together. When the couple ended their relationship, Spatucci reportedly reacted badly. It is unclear if the victim ever sought a restraining order against the suspect.

At the time of the homicide, the couple’s child was sleeping in a crib at the residence. Also asleep at the residence were the victim’s parents.

Bergen County authorities indicated that the suspect was able to gain entry to the Waldwick NJ residence through a window on the second floor. Once inside the home, the suspect allegedly went to the victim’s bedroom and confronted her.

A verbal altercation soon spilled over into violence, with the suspect allegedly strangling the victim until she was no longer breathing.

After the homicide, the suspect fled the scene. Police later arrested him in Midland Park, NJ.

The suspect was initially charged with several crimes, including first degree murder, hindering apprehension, burglary, and child endangerment.

The suspect was later charged with aggravated sexual assault. That’s because Bergen County medical examiners determined that the victim was raped prior to being murdered.

The suspect is now set to be incarcerated for a very long period of time after reaching a plea deal with Bergen County NJ prosecutors. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the suspect pleaded guilty to first degree murder and hindering apprehension; in exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop the other criminal charges, including the sexual assault charge.

Prosecutors also agreed to recommend that the suspect receive a sentence of 45 years in New Jersey State Prison.

To learn more about this case, view the Patch.com article, “Bergen Man Pleads Guilty to Murdering Former Beauty Pageant Contestant.”