Landlord Going to Trial in November for Shooting, Killing Hasbrouck Heights Tenant Three Years Ago
By Mary K. Miraglia
HACKENSACK, N.J. (April 10, 2017) — The Hasbrouck Heights landlord who is accused of killing his 58-year old tenant with a single gunshot to the chest will go to trial Nov. 27.
John C. Wisse appeared in Superior Court Monday, April 10 with his lawyer, David J. Altieri of Galantucci & Patuto in Hackensack, for a brief hearing.
Judge Margaret M. Foti explained steps that will be taken leading up to the Nov. 27, 1:30 p.m. trial, and Wisse’s exposure for the murder and weapons charges.
“I understand you are approx 85 years old,” Foti said. “We are all living longer, but obviously these are very serious charges. A plea offer is not viable due to your age.” She explained to Wisse that he faces a minimum of five years for using a handgun in the commission of a first degree crime (murder), and a minimum sentence of 30 years, maximum life if convicted of the first degree murder he is charged with committing.
Altieri and Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Thomas Kearney agreed there are no “unique” issues of evidence. Altieri said he plans to challenge the admission of some of Wisse’s statements, but not others. He said there were statements given to police by Wisse at his home, where they found him with the dead man after he called 911 to report what had happened, and other formal statements given at the police station after he was taken into custody.
Both attorneys agreed a Miranda motion will be held.
The shooting of tenant Gerald Velardi Jr., who lived on the ground floor of Wisse’s Passaic Ave., Hasbrouck Heights house, happened late in the afternoon of Aug. 28, 2015. Witnesses said there was an argument between the two men, possibly over the fact Wisse was selling his house and Velardi was having trouble figuring out where he would live once the sale was made.
After the shooting, Wisse called 911 at 4:58 p.m. to report the shooting. When Hasbrouck Heights police arrived, they found Wisse upstairs in his own apartment with a .38 caliber handgun that was presumably used in the shooting. Velardi’s body was found downstairs in his apartment.
Neighbors said Wisse had been ill recently, possibly hospitalized, and was “very weak.” Bail was originally set at $750,000 but reduced Sept. 15, 2015 by then-Presiding Judge Susan J. Steele to $500,000. A monitoring bracelet condition was imposed, should he make bail. He hasn’t, and remains in jail awaiting trial where he has been for almost two years.
Foti gave Wisse a “Hudson” charge, standard procedure in which the defendant is informed of the trial date and told if they don’t appear in court for trial it will go on without them.
She said she will have Wisse back in court once every two months until November to handle any details or issues that may come up.
Wisse will be back in court June 12.
In the Picture: From left: Assistant Bergen County Prosecutors Thomas Kearney, Homicide Unit, and James Santulli, Narcotics Unit; defense attorney David J. Altieri of Hackensack, defendant John C. Wisse
All persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilt by a court of law.
