OCEAN COUNTY – An Ocean County grand jury found sufficient evidence for a father to stand trial on murder charges for the death of his six-year-old son. Christopher Gregor, 30, also faces separate charges for endangering the welfare of his child prior to the young boy’s death.
Christopher Gregor lived in Barnegat when Corey Micciolo died while in his care. Corey was a first-grade student at Cecil C. Collins School in Barnegat at the time of his death.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said the State’s expert witness determined that the young boy died as a result of blunt force impact to the chest and abdomen. The expert also determined the manner of death to be homicide. Corey died on April 2, 2021.
Gregor first faced endangerment charges when video evidence documented the father putting the child on a treadmill and speeding it up. As the young boy fell, the father allegedly put him back on the gym equipment in his apartment complex. Records indicate Gregor is also seen biting his son on the head.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office first lodged endangerment charges against Gregor on July 7, 2021. He was subsequently released from the Ocean County Jail in compliance with New Jersey State Bail Reform.
After the state’s expert witness determined Corey’s death to be homicide, extensive investigation by several law enforcement agencies led to the conclusion that the young boy was with his father at the time of his life-ending injuries.
Law enforcement authorities arrested Gregor in Sea Bright and charged him with murder on March 9,2022. He has had two court appearances since that date and remains in the Ocean County Jail.
Gregor’s most recent appearance before Judge Guy Ryan was for a pre-indictment hearing. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office offered Gregor a plea bargain of 30 years with no parole.
Corey’s mother, Breanna Micciolo and grandmother, Rebecca Micciolo have actively pursued justice for their lost loved one. A Facebook page named Justice for Corey has over 19,000 members from all over the world.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Rebecca expressed her gratitude to the prosecutor’s office.
“We have every confidence that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will get Corey the justice he deserves,” said Rebecca. “We miss him so much and still can’t believe this happened.”
Gregor is scheduled to appear before Judge Guy Ryan on July 26, 2022. As they have in the past, supporters seeking Justice to Corey, plan to stand outside the courthouse to bring attention to the case.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged several agencies in announcing the grand jury’s findings. The list includes diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christine Lento who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Economic Crimes Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Englishtown Police Department, Manalapan Township Police Department, Monroe Township Police Department, Sea Bright Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and Alcoa (Tennessee) Police Department, for their collective and cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Gregor’s apprehension and now his indictment.
Gregor’s charges are considered accusations as he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
