Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Moorestown Township Public Safety Director Patrick J. Reilly Jr. revealed that a 73-year-old Moorestown man faced charges on Thursday for murdering his wife in their East Camden Avenue residence. Gerard Slavin was charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault – Strangulation.
He was held at the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly awaiting a detention hearing in Superior Court.
The investigation commenced just before 3 p.m. on Thursday after authorities received a call regarding the Slavin’s home in the Moorestowne Woods Apartment Homes. Responding officers from the Moorestown Township Police Department discovered the lifeless body of Linda Slavin, 73, in the couple’s bedroom.
Following the incident, Gerard Slavin was taken into custody without any complications. The Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood performed an autopsy on Friday, confirming that Linda Slavin’s cause of death was strangulation. Authorities from the Moorestown Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office are leading the ongoing investigation with MTPD Det. Ryan Carr and Prosecutor’s Office detectives Shawn McDonough and Katie White at the helm.
- No Risk to Water Supply After Dead Geese with Suspected Avian Flu Found at Monmouth County Reservior
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — New Jersey environmental officials are monitoring an active outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1, following reports of sick and dead birds at multiple locations across the state, including Monmouth and Gloucester counties.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) confirmed that avian influenza has been circulating in wild birds throughout all 21 counties and continues to be tracked by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife in coordination with federal partners.
At the Swimming River Reservoir in Monmouth County, more than 100 Canada geese have reportedly died in what officials suspect is part of the broader H5N1 outbreak.
In Gloucester County, hazmat crews responded Tuesday morning to Alcyon Lake in Pitman after reports of dozens of sick and dead geese. Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management officials estimated between 50 and 75 dead birds at that site, though no final count has been released.
DEP: Outbreak Primarily an Animal Health Issue
In a public advisory, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife said the ongoing outbreak is primarily an animal health issue and currently poses a low risk to the general public. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has similarly stated that the current strain circulating in wild birds presents limited risk to human health.
Officials noted that while HPAI can infect humans in rare circumstances, transmission typically involves prolonged, unprotected contact with infected birds.
Typical symptoms observed in birds include:
- Diarrhea
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing or sneezing
- Neurological symptoms such as incoordination
- Sudden death without visible warning signs
Residents who encounter groups of five or more sick or dead birds are urged to report findings through the state’s Wild Bird Disease Reporting Form.
Drinking Water Supply Not Impacted
Concerns have also been raised about the Swimming River Reservoir, which supplies treated drinking water to approximately 300,000 residents in eastern Monmouth County, including Middletown, Red Bank, Holmdel, and Colts Neck.
New Jersey American Water, which manages the reservoir, operates continuous monitoring and conventional water treatment systems that include disinfection processes effective at neutralizing influenza viruses.
State officials say there is no documented risk to the public drinking water supply.
Public health authorities emphasize that municipal treatment processes are designed to remove or inactivate viruses and other pathogens. There is no evidence that avian influenza spreads through properly treated drinking water.
Precautions for Residents
Officials advise residents to:
- Avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds
- Keep pets away from wildlife carcasses
- Report clusters of bird deaths to NJ Fish & Wildlife
- Consume only properly cooked poultry and pasteurized dairy products
State officials also confirmed that as of today, no human cases linked to this outbreak have been reported in New Jersey.
- It is illegal to bring a gun anywhere near a protest in New Jersey, even if you are licensed to carry
Minnesota shooting puts spotlight on New Jersey ban on guns at protests
TRENTON, NJ – In light of the deadly shooting of nurse Alex Pretti at an immigration rally in Minnesota, New Jersey’s firearm restrictions at public demonstrations are drawing renewed attention. The incident, which involved federal immigration agents and resulted in one civilian’s death, has sparked national discussion over the presence of guns at protests and other large gatherings.
Under New Jersey law, it is illegal to bring a firearm—openly or concealed—to a protest, march, vigil, or any other form of public demonstration. The rule applies even to individuals who possess valid concealed carry permits issued by the state. The prohibition falls under the “sensitive places” section of New Jersey’s gun laws, enacted through P.L.2022, c.131 and codified in N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6, which lists demonstrations and other public gatherings as off-limits to firearms.
The law defines sensitive places broadly, encompassing “any place being used for a public gathering, demonstration, or event requiring a government permit,” as well as the area within 100 feet of such an event. It applies statewide and is enforced by local police departments and the New Jersey State Police. Those found carrying a firearm in violation of the statute may face third-degree criminal charges, which can carry prison sentences of up to five years and result in the permanent loss of firearm-carry privileges.
The restrictions are part of New Jersey’s broader effort to regulate where firearms can legally be carried following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which expanded the rights of gun owners to obtain carry permits. In response, New Jersey lawmakers updated state statutes to designate certain public areas—such as schools, parks, courthouses, bars, and demonstrations—as “sensitive places” where firearms remain prohibited. Subsequent court rulings in 2023 upheld the ban on guns at demonstrations, affirming the state’s authority to regulate firearms in high-risk, densely attended public settings.
State officials have emphasized that these restrictions are designed to protect both demonstrators and bystanders. Public gatherings often occur in high-tension environments where the introduction of firearms could create confusion or escalate conflict. The law makes no distinction between spontaneous demonstrations and those that have been formally permitted. Once a crowd forms for the purpose of protest or assembly, the area is treated as a sensitive zone under the statute.
The statute’s enforcement does not depend on intent. Even if a permit holder claims to be carrying for self-defense, the act of possessing a firearm within or near a protest is itself a violation. Law enforcement officers are the only individuals exempt under the statute when performing their official duties. There are no exceptions for private security, volunteer patrols, or off-duty officers not working in an authorized capacity.
Municipalities across New Jersey have echoed the reminder following recent national incidents. Local law enforcement agencies have issued advisories warning residents to leave firearms at home before attending protests, rallies, or vigils. The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has also clarified that anyone found violating the sensitive-places provision may face arrest, weapon forfeiture, and criminal prosecution, regardless of whether the firearm was brandished or used.
In the aftermath of the Minnesota shooting, the renewed attention to New Jersey’s restrictions highlights the state’s preventive approach to firearm safety in public forums. While federal and state investigations continue into the Minnesota case, New Jersey’s law remains clear: firearms and public protests do not mix under any circumstance.
- New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6) prohibits carrying firearms at protests and within 100 feet of demonstrations
- The ban applies to both open and concealed carry, including for licensed permit holders
- Violations can result in third-degree criminal charges, imprisonment, and permanent loss of firearm rights
- Only active law enforcement officers performing official duties are exempt from the restriction
- NJDOT lifts emergency 35 mph speed limit on all highways
Trenton, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced that the temporary 35 mile-per-hour speed limit enacted during the weekend storm has been lifted as of noon Monday, January 26.
All vehicles may now resume their normally posted speed limits on all Interstate, U.S., and State highways, as well as the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway.
NJDOT officials said maintenance crews and contractors will continue cleanup operations throughout the day to ensure that travel lanes, ramps, and shoulders remain clear. However, low temperatures and windblown snow could still cause refreezing and slick spots in some areas.
Motorists are urged to use caution, plan extra travel time, and leave plenty of space between vehicles. Drivers are also reminded to clear all snow and ice from their cars before traveling, as required by state law.
Officials continue to advise avoiding unnecessary travel while crews complete post-storm operations.
For updated travel information, drivers can visit www.511nj.org for real-time traffic conditions and www.Ready.NJ.gov for winter weather and emergency preparedness updates. NJDOT also provides updates on social media at @NewJerseyDOT on X, the NJDOT Facebook page, and @newjersey.dot on Instagram.
- Here are the convicted murderers Phil Murphy granted clemency to on last day as New Jersey governor
Trenton, NJ – Trenton – In a sweeping and controversial act of executive authority, outgoing Governor Phil Murphy granted clemency to more than a dozen convicted murderers and violent offenders during his final hours in office, freeing several immediately and reducing sentences for others who had been serving decades-long prison terms.
Four of the convicted murderers are illegal aliens who will deported to their home countries upon release, but Murphy’s office did not say which ones.
The governor’s final clemency list, issued quietly late Monday, includes 13 individuals convicted of crimes ranging from murder and felony murder to robbery and arson. Among those granted relief is Maria Montalvo, the Long Branch woman convicted of burning her two young children to death in 1994, who will now be immediately eligible for parole.
Other recipients include David Moon, convicted of murder and weapons offenses in 2007, and Robert Rose, convicted of three counts of murder in 1983—both of whom will be released from prison immediately under parole supervision for five years.
Anthony Peoples, sentenced in 1998 for murder, felony murder, and multiple robberies, will also be freed under similar supervision. Convicted killers Mujahid Waathiq and Wali Williams, both imprisoned since 1990, are also among those released.
Several other inmates, including Luis Ramos, Natasha White, and Jerod Wise, will receive reductions to their remaining sentences or become parole eligible in the coming years. Two others—Germania Terrero and Shem Al-Mujahid/Walker—will be deported following their release due to immigration status.
Murphy’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from across the state, most notably from Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, who denounced the clemency granted to Montalvo as “a devastating blow to justice.” Santiago called her case one of “unimaginable cruelty,” noting that her children, 18-month-old Zoraida and 28-month-old Rafael, were doused in gasoline and set ablaze. “They were not given a second chance,” Santiago said, “but their killer now has been.”
While the Governor’s Office cited rehabilitation, fairness, and equity in sentencing as guiding principles behind the clemencies, law enforcement officials and victims’ advocates described the move as reckless and disrespectful to victims’ families.
The late-night action marks one of the largest single-day clemency decisions in recent New Jersey history and concludes Murphy’s tenure with intense controversy over the use of executive power in cases involving violent crime.
The following individuals were granted commutations of their parole sentences by Governor Murphy:
- Muslim, Ali: Murder, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1986.
- Rutherford, Jay: Criminal attempt to commit murder, sentenced in 1995; felony murder, murder, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1995.
Key Points: Murphy grants clemency to convicted killers in final hours of his term – Trenton
- Governor Phil Murphy granted clemency to 13 convicted murderers and violent offenders before leaving office.
- Several, including Maria Montalvo and Robert Rose, were ordered to be released immediately under parole supervision.
- The decision sparked outrage from prosecutors and victims’ advocates who called it a betrayal of justice.
- E-ZPass Under Control of Foriegn Owned Business is a Risk to New Jersey, Congressman Says
TRENTON, NJ – Congressman Jeff Van Drew is calling out New Jersey officials for awarding a multibillion-dollar E-ZPass operations contract to a company he says is linked to a foreign government, warning that state toll revenues are now being funneled into a system “not under American control.”
Speaking on the House floor this week, Van Drew criticized the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s decision to grant an $1.73 billion, 11-year contract to TransCore LP, a Nashville-based company owned by Singapore’s ST Engineering. The firm operates tolling and traffic systems worldwide, but Van Drew and other critics argue that ST Engineering’s parent company, Temasek Holdings, has board connections to the Chinese Communist Party.
“In my home state of New Jersey, the E-ZPass system used by millions is now operated by a company under foreign government control,” Van Drew said. “Instead of choosing a responsible American bidder, New Jersey went with a higher, more expensive foreign bid. It’s a bad formula — higher costs, less transparency, and more foreign control.”
According to reports, Newark-based Conduent Inc., which had managed the toll system for more than two decades, submitted a $1.4 billion proposal — roughly $250 million less than TransCore’s winning bid. The decision sparked allegations of a lack of transparency and potential political favoritism in the contract review process.
State transportation officials defended the contract last fall, citing TransCore’s technology capabilities and project history, though they declined to comment on the congressional criticism. Van Drew has called for an audit of the bidding process and tighter oversight of state contracts involving firms tied to foreign governments.
The controversy has drawn attention as toll revenues remain a major funding source for the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. Lawmakers across party lines are now weighing whether new state laws are needed to prevent foreign-linked companies from controlling key infrastructure systems.
Key Points: Van Drew blasts New Jersey over ‘foreign-controlled’ E-ZPass deal tied to Singapore firm – Trenton
- Rep. Jeff Van Drew criticized the state’s $1.73 billion E-ZPass contract with TransCore LP, citing foreign ownership concerns
- The losing bidder, Conduent Inc., offered a proposal roughly $250 million lower than the winning bid
- Van Drew is calling for an audit and new oversight measures to prevent foreign influence in state infrastructure contracts