Monmouth Judge Issues Gag Order In Long Branch Murder Case

FREEHOLD, NJ - The 16-year-old boy charged with murdering his parents, his sister and a family friend with a semi-automatic rifle on New Year's Eve will remain in jail until his trial, a Monmouth County family court judge ruled today.

The judge also issued a gag order in connection with the case, according to a post on the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Facebook page.

"So long as this matter remains pending in Family Court, no additional information will be forthcoming from this office," the post states. "We respect the statutorily mandated confidentiality of juvenile proceedings and also honor the public’s right to information. We are doing our all to maintain that balance under the circumstances, and thank you for your understanding."

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni on Monday charged Scott Kologi with four counts of murder and one count unlawful possession of a firearm.

He is accused of killing his parents, Steven Kologi, 44, Linda Kologi, 42, his sister, Brittany Kologi, 18 and family friend Mary Shultz, 70, shortly before midnight on New Year's. Autopsy results on the victims indicated they were all shot multiple times at close range, Gramiccioni has said.

Monmouth County Assignment Judge Lisa B. Thornton denied the Asbury Park Press' request on Tuesday to open the hearing to the media.

Long Branch police and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office were at the home within a minute of receiving a 911 call from inside the house.

Originally it was thought that another son and a grandfather escaped, but Gramiccioni said Tuesday a third person, a friend, had also gotten away from the house. The family pets, a dog and two cats, were unharmed, he said.

Gramiccioni said his office will fight to have the youth tried as an adult because of the severity of the crimes.

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