TOMS RIVER – Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan has scheduled the trial date for Christopher Gregor, the man charged with the murder of his six-year-old son Corey Micciolo, to commence on April 23, 2024.
The emotionally charged case has gripped the community since the tragic incident unfolded on April 2, 2021. A Facebook page created by Corey’s mother Breanna Micciolo has attracted worldwide attention and currently has 18,400 members.
Originally scheduled as a plea cutoff hearing, the court proceedings took an unexpected turn when Judge Ryan decided to extend the plea cutoff hearing to January 18, 2024. The prosecution had previously offered the defendant, Christopher Gregor, a plea deal of 30 years in jail with no possibility of early release.
Gregor’s attorney, Mario Gallucci, has remained tight-lipped about whether he intends to negotiate the plea or whether Gregor intends to accept it. The plea deal was declined in earlier proceedings.
The plea cutoff hearing delay was attributed to a recent development in the case. Christopher Gregor’s legal team was unable to submit an expert report regarding the cause of Corey’s death until now. This unforeseen circumstance prompted Judge Ryan to grant an extension. This will allow both the prosecution and the defense the opportunity to review and potentially submit supplemental reports.
The prosecution’s offer of a 30-year sentence underscores the gravity of the charges against Gregor, who is currently detained in Ocean County Jail. He faces charges of both child endangerment and murder in connection with the tragic demise of his young son.
Gallucci, when questioned about the expert report, revealed that he is not in a position to release the details at this time. Furthermore, a separate expert report from the State Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) has been ordered sealed by the court.
Reports surrounding Corey’s death indicate that the first-grade boy succumbed to injuries resulting from blunt force impact to the chest and abdomen.
Gregor is presumed innocent unless proven guilty or enters a guilty plea.
Both the prosecution and the defense have signaled their intention to present substantial testimony and evidence should the case proceed to a jury trial. The anticipated duration of the trial is approximately six weeks.
