MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) - A Philadelphia man charged with murder in the beating death of his younger brother in an Atlantic City casino hotel room will remain jailed pending his trial.
A judge issued the ruling Tuesday, citing the severity of the charges against 38-year-old John Villante and several concerns that could make him a risk to the public or likely to flee. Villante’s lawyer didn’t challenge the decision.
Villante is charged in the death of his younger brother, Joseph, who was found May 28 in a hotel room at Harrah’s casino. An autopsy determined the 32-year-old Philadelphia man died from numerous injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head.
Villante was arrested two days later in Philadelphia.
Atlantic County prosecutors say John Villante has denied involvement in the death, telling police his brother must have fallen in the shower.
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