'We Are In A Waiting Game': Fate Of Accused Somerville Murderer In Limbo

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Whether David C. Shroitman will stand trial for the accusation of fatally stabbing 27-year-old Maryrose Fealey 37 times in Somerville in 2024 remains undetermined.

A court hearing was held on Tuesday before Judge Peter Tober to determine if Shroitman, 27, of Somerville, is mentally competent to stand trial. However, a final determination to review his competency status was moved to July 22 at 9 a.m.

"Thank you all for being MARYROSES VOICE and FILLING our courtroom!" said Fealey's mother Janet Mary Pizzelli. "Tober will preside over the hearing and determine the next steps—whether we move forward toward trial or continue to assess his state of mind."

Court proceedings against Shroitman were previously suspended after Tober ruled on April 3 that he was mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Tober committed Shroitman to the custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Health, where he was supposed to be confined at Ann Klein Forensic Center in Trenton to undergo treatment. However, he has yet to be transferred.

"Unfortunately, we remain in a waiting game dictated by procedural requirements and the pending results of various evaluations," said Pizzelli. "Our hope is that Mr. Schroitman will either be deemed competent to stand trial or, if not, be transferred promptly to Ann Klein for further assessment and treatment — so we can move forward toward trial without further delays."

Pizzelli previously told Patch that she believes Shroitman can stand trial and is mentally competent.

"He was working. He graduated business at Rutgers. And he had a full-time job and he had an apartment," said Pizzelli in May. "He got an apartment, like, five blocks from our house."

Pizzelli continues to encourage the community to write letters in support of justice for Maryrose.

Anyone interested in the letter-writing campaign, which includes a pre-written letter to send to officials, can visit instagram.com/100voicesformaryrosefealey.

The Crime

On Jan. 30, 2024, at around 10:20 p.m., a 911 call reported an injured, unresponsive woman outside of a residential complex on North Bridge Street. Read More: Woman Found Fatally Stabbed Outside Somerville Housing Complex: Police

Somerville Officers found Fealey with multiple apparent stab wounds and began life-saving measures at the scene along with responding medical personnel, said McDonald.Fealey was pronounced dead at the scene.

A postmortem examination was performed on Feb. 1, 2024, by the Medical Examiner’s Office, which identified the victim as Fealey and determined the cause of death as multiple stab wounds (37).

On Feb. 4, investigators searched Shroitman's home and car, where they found numerous bleach containers throughout the home, a manifesto laying out a plan step-by-step for the homicide, and the driver's door of the tan Toyota Camry was doused in bleach, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Read More: 37 Stab Wounds, A Manifesto Discovered: New Somerville Slaying Details

Shroitman was formally arrested and charged on Feb. 5, 2024. A motive has not been released, however, authorities did confirm that Shroitman knew Fealey. Shroitman graduated from Somerville High School with Fealey in 2014.

Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Gerard Tyrrell said in court in February 2024 that there was "no evidence of a romantic relationship" between Shroitman and Fealey.

Previous Reporting:

• 37 Stab Wounds, A Manifesto Discovered: New Somerville Slaying Details
• Who Is David Shroitman: Man Charged In Fatal Somerville Stabbing
• Man Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Somerville Woman 37 Times May Not Stand Trial
• Community Rallies To Overturn Judge's Ruling, Have Somerville Man Stand Trial For Murder
• Bridgewater Mayor 'Deeply Troubled' Over Somerville Murder Case Court Ruling

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com