Court Orders New Trial For Somerset County Mom Who Fatally Stabbed Son

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, NJ — A Somerset County woman who was found guilty of fatally stabbing her son more than 17 times in the neck in 2021 will get a new trial after an appeals court overturned her conviction, according to a report.

Elina Gutti, of South Bound Brook, was convicted of first-degree murder in 2023 following a bench trial. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Last week, a New Jersey appeals court overturned the conviction, ruling the judge who oversaw her case failed to properly confirm she understood her right to a jury trial by personally questioning her in court to ensure she was knowingly and voluntarily giving up that right, NJ Advance Media reported.

This step, known as a colloquy, is required under New Jersey law to ensure a person understands the implications of waiving their right to a jury trial.

After overturning the conviction, the appeals court ordered a new trial, according to NJ Advance Media.

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On Feb. 6, 2021, just before 2:30 a.m., Somerset County Communications got a 911 call from Gutti requesting help. Gutti reported that she had woken up to find her wrist cut and was uncertain as to the cause of her injuries.

South Bound Brook Patrol Officers went to the scene and determined that Gutti's injuries were minor and did not require immediate medical attention.

During the investigation into the cause of Gutti's injuries, the patrol officers found Gutti’s 4-year-old son dead inside Gutti’s bedroom with more than 17 incised wounds to his neck area.

A kitchen knife found on the floor of Gutti’s bedroom was determined to be the murder weapon, prosecutors said.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit assisted with the homicide investigation.

The New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office conducted a post-mortem examination, which determined the cause of the boy's death to be the result of multiple incised wounds to his neck area and the manner of death to be homicide.

Gutti received a bench trial during the weeks of Dec. 4, 2023, and Dec. 11, 2023. During the trial, Gutti's attorneys presented a defense that she was not guilty because of insanity, but Judge Julie Marino determined Gutti was not legally insane at the time of the killing.