BRIDGETON, NJ — A Cumberland County jury found Bruce Duette, 45, of Trenton, guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday in the 2022 killing of fellow inmate Martin Sanchez at Bayside State Prison in Leesburg.
According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, the conviction follows a joint investigation by the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division and county detectives. Authorities responded to the prison on November 21, 2022, where Sanchez was discovered unresponsive in his cell with severe facial injuries and later pronounced dead at the facility.
A medical examiner ruled Sanchez’s death a homicide caused by blunt force head injuries and neck compression. Investigators identified Duette as the suspect after DNA evidence matching him was recovered from a sneaker, a sock, and under the victim’s fingernails.
Sanchez had been scheduled for release from Bayside the day after his death, on November 22, 2022.
Duette faces 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison
Prosecutors also presented evidence that Duette is a persistent offender, qualifying him for an extended prison term. He now faces 30 years to life in prison and must serve at least 30 years or 85 percent of his sentence, whichever is greater.
Sentencing is set for July 21, 2025, before Judge Cristen P. D’Arrigo.
Assistant Prosecutors Cathryn Wilson and Jeffrey Krachun represented the State, while Duette was represented by attorney Emily Bell.