TOMS RIVER, NJ – Today, Samantha Massimino, 36, pled guilty to manslaughter before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with the death of Reinaldo Feliciano, Jr., 35, also of Toms River. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of October 24, 2020.
At her sentencing on July 7, 2023, the State will seek a seven-year prison term under the No Early Release Act.
On October 24, 2020, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Toms River Township Police Officers responded to a local residence following a 911 call requesting assistance in reference to a male victim having been stabbed. Upon arrival, officers found Reinaldo Feliciano, Jr., with a stab wound to his leg.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Massimino and Mr. Feliciano, who had previously been in a dating relationship, became involved in a physical altercation at the residence. During the course of the argument, Massimino retrieved a knife and ultimately stabbed Mr. Feliciano in the leg.
Mr. Feliciano was transported to Community Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 4:45 a.m. Massimino was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she has been lodged since her arrest.