May 12, 2000   

 

EAST WINDSOR MAN INDICTED IN MURDER OF MOTHER

 

       An East Windsor man was indicted today on a murder charge accused of killing his mother and burning down the family home last year, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced.

      In addition to murder, Steven Marut (DOB 9/19/70), was also indicted on charges of aggravated arson in the death of his mother, Marie R. Marut, 57, whose body was found Aug. 10, 1999, insider her Piney Branch Road home, Giaquinto said. An autopsy revealed that the victim had been bludgeoned to death prior to the fire, Giaquinto said.

      East Windsor Township police took Steven Marut into custody on Aug. 11, 1999, and charged him with defiant trespass, a petty disorderly person’s offense, after he was found in a Dumpster behind an office products store.

      Police later charged him with six domestic violence complaints, all disorderly person’s offenses, arising from violations of a temporary restraining order that had been obtained by a female friend of a Marut family member. The domestic violence victim, whose name has not been released, was not Marie Marut, Giaquinto said.

      Steven Marut was charged Oct. 26, 1999, with his mother’s murder.

      Assistant Prosecutor Randolph D. Norris presented the case to the grand jury.

      Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.