Witnesses ID Wrong Suspect In Leonia Stabbing; 2nd Arrest Made

LEONIA, NJ — Bergen County authorities have arrested a second person in connection with the fatal stabbing of a Leonia woman after learning a witness had misidentified the original person arrested and charged with her murder, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Thursday.

Nile Diakos, 35, of Leonia, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder Wednesday after authorities accused him of stabbing 35-year-old Alicia Arnone in a Leonia apartment Saturday.

Diakos also is charged with third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree hindering his own apprehension, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, officials said.

Diakos' arrest comes just days after authorities arrested Andrae Daniels of Lodi in connection with Arnone's death. According to officials, Daniels was arrested and charged after two witnesses identified him as the suspect.

However, officials said further investigation cast "serious doubt" on witness accounts. According to authorities, one of the witnesses recanted their previous statements and identified Diakos as a suspect.

Daniels, who was facing charges similar to Diakos, was released from jail Wednesday, officials said.