TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Laurence Harbor man has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for the 2022 stabbing death of a Jackson Township resident, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday.
Michael Tsamas, 35, was sentenced by Judge Guy P. Ryan on Thursday after being found guilty of aggravated manslaughter in the death of 44-year-old Joseph Delgardio. The sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning Tsamas must serve at least 85 percent of the term before becoming eligible for parole.
The conviction followed a two-week jury trial in which Tsamas was also found guilty of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.
On May 26, 2022, around 6:15 p.m., Jackson Township Police responded to a report of a man lying in the road at West Veterans Highway and Conor Road. First responders found Delgardio with a fatal neck wound and attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Altercation followed door-to-door solicitation
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Jackson Township Police, and the Sheriff’s Office revealed that Tsamas had been working for a company hired by Verizon to perform door-to-door sales when the encounter occurred.
Tsamas had approached Delgardio’s residence in an attempt to solicit business, but was turned away. A short time later, Delgardio confronted Tsamas on the street, leading to a physical altercation during which Tsamas drew a dagger and stabbed Delgardio in the neck.
Tsamas was arrested at the scene without incident and initially held at the Ocean County Jail. He was later released under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines prior to trial.
Michael Tsamas will serve 20 years for fatally stabbing Joseph Delgardio after a confrontation on a Jackson Township street.
