Point Beach Man Pleads Guilty To Stabbing Halfway House Neighbor 90 Times

TOMS RIVER - Call it overkill.

A Point Pleasant Beach man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for stabbing his halfway house neighbor 90 times on the night of Oct. 7, 2015, a report in app.com says.

Anthony Strong, 26, testified before Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels on Thursday he murdered Frank Campagna, 41, by stabbing him 90 times "until he was "satisfied that he was dead."

Strong agreed to a plea deal that would send him to prison for 30 years. Prosecutors dropped the charges of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to have a weapon, according to the report.

The carnage began shortly after the two men drank vodka in Campagna's room and smoked marijuana. The two began arguing. Strong testified that Campagna punched him on the side of the face, so he grabbed a knife and stabbed him in the chest, head, and throat. The wounds punctured his skull, heart and lungs.

"You understand that despite the fact that the victim punched you first, that didn't give you the right to take a weapon and stab someone to death?" his public defender Vita Mennie asked. Strong agreed.

Strong admitted he impersonated Campagna when concerned residents knocked on the door. He also admitted he faked insanity to avoid prosecution.

Strong is slated to be sentenced on Sept. 29.

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