18-year-old Garwood teen charged in murder of 2 Cranford teenage girls will remain jailed
Vincent Battiloro consented to detention during a court hearing in Elizabeth today. It was his first appearance since being charged as an adult by the Union County Prosecutor. He's accused of intentionally running down two girls on an e-bike in Cranford.
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Vincent Battiloro, 18, will remain in custody at a juvenile detention center until trial. Battiloro decided not to push for release during Wednesday's detention hearing at the Union County courthouse.
Battiloro appeared virtually from a juvenile detention center. It was his first court appearance since being charged as an adult by the Union County prosecutor.
The Garwood teen is accused of getting behind the wheel of his Jeep and running down Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas while the two teens were riding an e-bike.
The adult designation means Battiloro could face 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder, which would be much less if convicted as a juvenile. An attorney for the Niotis family says the family is pleased with the decision to try the defendant as an adult.
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“With an individual who is alleged to have run down and killed two young girls, I think the decision was the right one. And I think the state did the right thing. And now justice can be sought in the appropriate venue," said attorney Brent Bramnick.
Immediately following their daughter's death, the Niotis family said Maria was being stalked by Battiloro.
When questioned by police, Battiloro said he was carjacked by someone with a knife.
The case now heads to a grand jury.
