Jackson Township Men Sentenced, Held for Fatal Stabbings in Ocean County

Michael Tsamas, a 35-year-old Laurence Harbor resident, was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison for the 2022 stabbing death of Joseph Delgardio in Jackson Township. Tsamas was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter and multiple weapons charges after a jury trial, with the sentence subject to the No Early Release Act, requiring him to serve at least 85 percent before parole eligibility. The incident occurred after Tsamas, working door-to-door for a company hired by Verizon, was confronted by Delgardio following an initial rejection of solicitation, leading to a fight where Tsamas fatally stabbed Delgardio in the neck. Separately, Steven McNeill, 32, of Jackson Township, remains detained without bail pending trial for the May 9 fatal stabbing of Raniek Mendez in Toms River, facing charges including murder, attempted murder, and weapons offenses. McNeill's defense claims self-defense under New Jersey's Castle Doctrine, but the judge ruled there was no reasonable belief deadly force was necessary, ordering him to stay in jail pending trial. Both cases involve violent confrontations leading to fatal stabbings and ongoing legal proceedings in Ocean County.