Marcus Muse, 24, of Willingboro, is accused of helping plan the killing and pulling the trigger - but he denies everything
TRENTON - Two suspects arrested in connection with the shooting death of Hamilton resident and convicted killer, Michael "Mickey Rome" DiMattia this month, have confessed, according to authorities.
But Marcus Muse - the suspect who authorities believe held the gun - still denies all the claims.
Marcus Muse, 24, of Willingboro Muse, 24, of Willingboro appeared by way of a video in court for a bail hearing Wednesday. During his hearing, Muse remained silent and unmoving while Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor James Scott outlined the series of events that they believe led up to DiMattia's death in his Estates Boulevard apartment two weeks ago.
Prosecutors believe that the murder was planned out, Scott said.
Police responded to the apartment in the morning of March 17 to find DiMattia dead inside. Prosecutors said he was robbed and shot twice.
Muse, Tatiana Cole, 24, of Pemberton and Joshua Major, 21, of Pemberton Borough were arrested shortly after the killing. Muse denies any connection to the shooting but has said he was in the area at the time, Scott said.
But Cole and Major, who both have confessed to their involvement in the killing, have claimed Muse was not only complicit, but actually pulled the trigger, Scott said.
He said prosecutors believe the three planned out the attack ahead of time. Cole was partying with DiMattia at his apartment before the killing, Scott said. After she left, Muse came into the apartment with a gun and got into a fight with DiMattia. Muse shot DiMattia twice before robbing him of $18,000, Scott said.
Cole returned to the apartment after the shooting to get her purse and left with Muse and Major, who was driving a getaway car, Scott said.
Police investigated the shooting and tracked Muse down to a motel room in Mount Laurel. A search of the room turned up a gun that matched the type of gun used in DiMattia's killing, Scott said.
He said Cole and Major told similar stories, both claiming that Muse had the gun and fired the shots. Muse has denied those claims, Scott said.
Caroline Turner, Muse's attorney, said that the gun has not been tested and that authorities can't know for sure yet whether it is the murder weapon.
Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw reviewed Muse's history Wednesday. The 24-year-old does not have a criminal history in New Jersey but has been charged with crimes in Georgia and Virginia including a domestic violence charge and a drug charge, according to prosecutors.
Warshaw decided to keep Muse's bail at $1 million Wednesday, saying that the killing seemed "premeditated and highly opportunistic," and adding that prosecutors have a "very strong," case against Muse.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.