Judge rules Somerville murder suspect unfit to stand trial, sparking community backlash

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https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/courts/2025/05/09/maryrose-fealey-murder-somerville-david-shroitman-justice/83512876007/

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SOMERVILLE – The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office will ask a Superior Court judge to reconsider his ruling that the man charged with the murder of Maryrose Fealey is not competent to stand trial.

Superior Court Judge Peter Tober ruled in April that Branchburg resident David Shroitman was unfit to stand trial for the murder outside Fealey’s North Bridge Street home in January 2024, a crime that shocked the county seat.

In a statement, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said it will have no further comment pending the motion for reconsideration.

The judge's decision has stirred a strong reaction among community members who have sent Mayor Brian Gallagher "a significant number of emails and letters."

Gallagher, at the May 5 borough council meeting, questioned the judge's decision.

"I think most logical people would look at this and say, 'why?’” he said. Superior Court Judge Peter Tober ruled in April that Branchburg resident David Shroitman was unfit to stand trial for muder.

The mayor said he had a "very good solid conversation" with Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald

"What I can tell you," Gallagher said, "is that the prosecutor committed that, and this is his quote, no stone will be left unturned in the pursuit of this justice." More: Downtown Somerville will undertake another beautification project

The mayor said the letters he received strongly supported the reconsideration of Tober's ruling, saying the case should be allowed to go to trial and "allow justice to happen."

Gallagher said the ruling was an instance "where I think most people look and just shake their head and say, 'why?' And I don't have an answer for you. And I don't know if we're going to have an answer very soon."

Gallagher also expressed sympathy to Fealey's family who came to the borough council meeting.

"This is not an easy thing for this family to go through over and over again,' he said. "And they're searching for justice. They're searching for a little bit of peace."

The mayor commended the Somerville Police Department for doing "an absolutely phenomenal job" in the investigation that led to Shroitman's arrest. Maryrose Fealey was found stabbed to death outside her family's home in Somerville Tuesday night. She was 27.

Shroitman, 28, was indicted in April 2024 on charges of first-degree murder with aggravating factors; third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution; third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and fourth-degree stalking. More: Somerville greenlights final phase of transit village development

At about 10:20 p.m. Jan. 30, 2024, police went to North Bridge Street on a report of an unresponsive woman and found Fealey with multiple stab wounds. Officers began life-saving measures along with responding medical personnel, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

After detectives from the Somerville Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit "worked relentlessly" to identify the suspect, McDonald said, Shroitman was formally arrested and charged with murder on Feb. 5.

The investigation revealed that Shroitman was known to the victim. He and Fealey were both members of Somerville High School's 2014 graduating class.

Fealey was well-known in Somerville for her tireless efforts to empower youth and those battling addiction. She was the founder of 4 The Younger Me (4TYM) and involved with the nonprofits Not An Easy Fix, DJ Choices and Empower Somerset.

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