Parsippany Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter
Published on October 02, 2013
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Jiu Zian Zheng, 43 years old, of Parsippany, New Jersey pleaded guilty today to Aggravated Manslaughter in connection with the death of his wife, Yun Fei Lin, 33 years old, on October 5, 2012 at Kazsumi Sushi restaurant, located at 81 North Beverwyck Road in the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany. He also pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Weapon in connection with an attempted assault on Ren Lin, the victim's business partner.
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that he stabbed his wife, recklessly causing her death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.
The defendant was arrested on October 6, 2012 and charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Bail was set at $1,000,000 cash by the Honorable Philip J. Maenza, J.S.C. Defendant was unable to post bail and was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility. The Aggravated Assault charge was added to the Accusation, following a continued investigation.
Under the terms of the plea agreement to a charge of First Degree Aggravated Manslaughter, amended from Murder, the State will recommend that the defendant be sentenced to 20 years in State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act. This will require that the defendant serve 85 percent of his sentence prior to parole consideration. With regard to the Third Degree Aggravated Assault charge, the State will recommend a sentence of 5 years to run concurrent to the Aggravated Manslaughter count. The remaining charges of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon will be dismissed at sentencing.
Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Julie Serfess represented the State in the plea agreement.
The Honorable Stuart A. Minkowitz, P.J.S.C. presided over the plea. The defendant remains in the custody of the Morris County Correctional Facility pending sentencing, which is scheduled for November 22, 2013. An ICE detainer has been lodged as the defendant is here illegally from China.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp thanks the Parsippany Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section, the Montville Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Glen Rock Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit who assisted in the investigation and resolution of this matter.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.