Page 10 Thursday, August 4, 2005 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A Watchung Communications, Inc. Publication DNA Evidence Links Serial Killer with Laurite Murder By DEBORAH MADISON are grateful to know that this sus- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times pected predator can no longer take SCOTCH PLAINS – A Montana another life. Although this is the drifter, Ronald James Ward, already day we have long awaited, it opens serving a life sentence for the mur- the deep wounds with renewed in- der of a homeless man, has been tensity.” linked, through DNA evidence, to Along with thanking the many the rape and murder of Scotch Plains detectives and police who helped to resident Kristin Laurite in August find her daughter’s killer, Mrs. of 2000. Dibenedetto also said, “I want to Ms. Laurite’s nude body was give my genuine thanks to the me- found 300 feet behind a rest stop dia who have kept my daughter’s along Interstate 40 in Conway story alive.” County Arkansas near Little Rock. Due to the new DNA evidence Ms. Laurite, 25, was traveling cross- linking Ward with Ms. Laurite’s Patrick Connor for The Westfield Leader country by car to a teaching job in murder, the Conway County Sheriff’s RUNNING BRIDE…A Westfield bride-to-be runs in the 5K Pizza Race last week California, when she pulled off the Department has re-opened the case with her friends jogging along for support. Fanwood Borough Library Director Dan Weiss highway to walk her dogs. It was and is gathering more evidence and then when she was raped and stabbed re-interviewing possible witnesses repeatedly. to present to the prosecutor’s office, Ward may soon merit the notori- Chief Smith said. They expect to Dems Kickoff Campaign Ex-Wife Stabs FW ous label of serial killer if prosecu- submit that evidence to the tors collect enough evidence to pro- prosecutor’s office sometime in the ceed with several other pending, next three weeks, he added. If there For Mayor, Council Seats Library Director Weiss murder charges against him, Deputy is enough evidence for a conviction, Chief Sheriff Michael Smith of the prosecutors will submit the evi- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 By PAUL J. PEYTON side the library at around 5 p.m. Conway County told The Leader. dence to a Grand Jury for a capital Taylor Park. Mr. Fusaro, President of the Specially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times “Our patrol officers responding Ward was tried and convicted for murder charge. He said, “the proper leadership and Wesfield Baseball League and an FANWOOD – Borough Library found the victim sitting in his office the murder of Craig Petrich, 43, who Mrs. Dibenedetto tried unsuccess- the proper resources” are needed to engineer, said he has felt the council Director Dan Weiss, 53, of Jersey with a large neck wound,” said Police was robbed, beaten and shot to death fully to sue Arkansas Highway Pa- make the DPW a better functioning has had “a little standoffish attitude” City was recovering this week from a Chief Donald Domanoski. in Montana on Oct. 16, 2000. Ward trol for not providing adequate po- department. the past few years when questioned stab wound to the neck inflicted by Chief Domanoski said detectives is also being looked at for several lice security at the rest stop where On the issue of over development, by the public on their decisions. He his ex-wife, Rosemary Dunlap, 54, learned Dunlap was sitting in Weiss’ other murders, including that of her daughter was killed. In 1997, Mr. Jardim said the town needs to promised to use his experience as an of Westfield, on Monday evening as car in the back seat wearing gloves on Jackie Travis, 49, who was beaten to another person was murdered at the tighten up Westfield’s zoning ordi- engineer to help the DPW accom- he left work, police said. her hands, apparently waiting for her death in her Merced, California apart- rest stop and the Arkansas Highway nance. He said new homes need be plish its tasks. He said he would focus Police said Mr. Weiss, who has ex-husband. ment on Dec. 7, 2000, and Shelia Transportation Department has now built “in character” with existing on improvement the town’s infrastruc- headed the library for six years, was Mayor Colleen Mahr told The Polly, 32, who was found dead on closed the area, Chief Smith stated. homes in the neighborhood. ture such as athletic fields and roads to have been married to his fiancée Leader the stabbing was “just a com- Dec. 30, 2000 in nearby Modesto. This month will mark the five- Ms. Fisch, an English and edu- if elected. this Saturday, August 6. plete and utter shock to everyone.” Although the DNA evidence en- year anniversary of Ms. Laurite’s cation professor at New Jersey Mr. Haas, who filled a vacancy on Dunlap was arrested not far from “Everyone is so saddened and tered into a computer database death. Ms. Laurite graduated from City University in Jersey City, said the council in 2003, said given his her home in Westfield following a shell shocked that something like linked the murder of Ms. Travis Scotch Plains- Fanwood High she intends to focus on numerous slim 59-vote defeat in 2003 he de- countywide radio broadcast alert, that could occur” in such a small with DNA from Ms. Laurite’s case School in 1993. Her story has been “little tiny things” that residents cided he would “give it another shot.” police said. “tight knit community” like in 2001, neither case could be featured on Inside Edition, want accomplished by town gov- He said the “small little details the She is a sales associate with a realtor Fanwood, she said. matched with a suspect. The data- America’s Most Wanted and the ernment. town needs to focus on” have a direct firm in Westfield. Mayor Mahr credited the borough base evidence linking Ward was not Montel Williams Show. “Over the last bunch of years some impact on residents. The Fanwood Memorial Library is rescue squad’s quick response and its discovered until this year, when An Associated Press Report ar- people have felt their ideas haven’t Fourth ward candidate Mr. located at North Avenue and Tillotson decision to transport Mr. Weiss to evidence from Ms. Polly’s case was ticle on the case stated that in court been heard. If I am on the town coun- Bigosinski, an attorney in Road. UMDNJ with saving his life. entered into the CODIS database documents, Ward admitted to fre- cil, believe me, everyone’s ideas will Morristown, said he is “very excited Westfield police detained Dunlap “This was a horribly shocking and system, Chief Smith explained. quent use of heroin, methamphet- be heard,” said Ms. Fisch. and eager to serve this town.” until Fanwood police officers arrived senseless act of violence against a Kristin Laurite’s mother, Lynn amines, marijuana and alcohol. and made the arrest, Westfield Police wonderful, dedicated borough em- Dibenedetto of Scotch Plains, could Ward also told the court that his Sergeant Scott Rodger told The ployee,” she said. “All of us are send- not be reached for comment. How- mother, who was a prostitute, aban- Westfield Leader. ing our best wishes to him, his fiancée ever, she published the following doned him at an early age to live in Dunlap was arrested and charged and his family along with our prayers statement on the web site, foster care. with attempted murder and posses- for a full and speedy recovery.” www.kristinlaurite.org, dedicated to CODIS stands for Combined sion of a knife with intent to use it Tom Plante, a friend of Mr. Weiss, finding her daughter’s killer. DNA Index System. More informa- unlawfully, police said. told The Leader he understood the “My family and I are relieved and tion on the database can be found at Fanwood Police Operations Com- library director “is doing better” and comforted that a suspect has been www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/codis/ mander Lieutenant Richard Trigo said that the hospital has allowed him to apprehended and incarcerated. We index1.htm. Sergeant Howard Jarvis and Detec- see visitors. tive Eugene Chin are conducting the Mr. Plante said his wife, Patricia, follow -up investigation. “is so upset she doesn’t want to talk WESTFIELD Lieutenant Trigo said police at the anybody.” scene recovered the knife they be- Mr. Plante was attending a meeting POLICE BLOTTER lieved was used in the attack. Monday night with Assemblywoman Mr. Weiss was in guarded condi- Linda Stender and Mayor Mahr when WEDNESDAY, driving while intoxicated. He was tion at the University of Medicine they were informed of the stabbing. JULY 20 released to a responsible individual. and Dentistry of New Jersey in New- “Everybody pulled out their cell phones Andrew DiStefano, 19, and Lissette Two residences were reported bur- ark at press time, said Union County and started making calls,” he said. Mayes, 19, both of Carteret, were glarized on Max Place. In each inci- Prosecutor Theodore Romankow. “He (Mr. Weiss) is a man of many arrested at South Avenue and Ross dent, one or more individuals cut the Betsey Burgdorf for The Westfield Leader On Tuesday, State Superior Court talents. He is just a great guy. What a Place and charged with possession of telephone wires and forced open the CAMPAIGN SPEECHES…Mayoral candidate Tom Jardim stands with his Judge Scott J. Moynihan in Union shock to the community it is,” said less than 50 grams of suspected mari- front door. No one was at home at running mates as he addresses supporters from the Westfield Democratic Com- County ordered that Dunlap, a resi- Mr. Plante. He and his wife have juana; possession of suspected mari- either location when the break-ins mittee at the home of Larry and Cynthia Goldman during Sunday’s kickoff of the dent of Harding Street in Westfield, attended performances by Mr. Weiss, juana with intent to distribute and took place. campaigns for mayor and town council. be held in the Union County jail in who has his own band, Silk City. The possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said the master bedrooms of Elizabeth in lieu of $150,000 bail, band plays a mix of blue grass, folk Both were released with summonses. both homes had been ransacked. Ap- police said. and classical music, as well as Broad- SATURDAY, proximately $300 in cash was reported Dunlap was expected to appear later way show tunes. Mr. Weiss performs JULY 23 taken from one home, while $1,300 in Council Emphasizes New this week before State Superior Court vocals and plays the guitar. It was reported that someone set cash and $30,000 in jewelry was re- Judge Joan Robinson Gross, accord- Mr. Weiss performs at the annual fire to an American flag mounted on moved from the other. At press time, Parking Conveniences ing to Prosecutor’s Office Investiga- Fannywood Day street fair as well as a pole at a business in the 500 block of authorities had no suspects. tion Supervisor David Hancock. other borough events, said Mr. Plante. East Broad Street. THURSDAY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Police said they found Mr. Weiss in Mr. Plante serves on the Fanwood Sangog Ohra, 66, of Scotch Plains JULY 28 his office following the stabbing out- Cultural Arts Committee with Mr. Weiss. was arrested and charged with shop- Diego Diaz, 21, of Roselle Park be an example of “arrogant govern- the project, saving tax dollars. lifting a silver heart bracelet and sil- was arrested and charged with hin- ment who just plays ball.” “Yes, the particular stripes that cur- ver hoop earrings, valued at a total of dering apprehension for allegedly “What public works did is illegal,” rently are on the ground are unfortu- Westfield Confers with $160, from a North Avenue store. She giving police a false name after being Mr. Blake said. “To say an ordinance nately unenforceable, but the bottom was released on her own recogni- stopped for a motor vehicle violation will be passed soon is either arrogant line is that we erred on the side of zance. at South and Hetfield Avenues in or stupid. Any organization appropri- public safety,” said Mr. Gildea. “This Residents on Tamaques Pond Gregory Eley, 52, of Roselle was Scotch Plains. Diaz was released with ating to themselves parking spaces of work displays an excellent coopera- arrested at South Avenue and Cross- a summons. the town’s and telling people they’re tive effort and it’s a safer area and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 way Place and charged with driving FRIDAY, not allowed to park there is arrogant.” more beneficial to the town.” pant with weeds, there were big Mayor Skibitsky wrote down all of while intoxicated. He was released JULY 29 He argued that this was an example of The town did pass, later in the patches of dirt and no mulch.” Mr. the concerns. He said that a new play- on his own recognizance to a respon- Dwain Johnson, 32 and Martin “they say ‘don’t make any noise.’ meeting, enforcement regulations for Rivera also asked about a new play- ground set would be included in the sible individual. Hester, 19, both of Plainfield, and We’ll agree in the back. It’s an atti- the area in question. ground component, as the old one 2006 budget. He also wants to re- MONDAY, Joseph DiDario, 23, of Springfield tude that you see becoming more and During the opening presentations, was removed due to safety concerns place the “no feeding ducks” and “no JULY 25 were arrested in the 200 block of Elm more popular in Westfield, and it the town council presented local hero earlier this year. ice-skating” signs with improved Laura Avdey, 22, of Westfield was Street and charged with possession of should be stopped. Who approves a Sean Baran with a proclamation hon- A concerned resident from Dickson ones. arrested in the 700 block of Norman less than 50 grams of suspected mari- work ordinance before the town is oring his selfless actions in London Drive pointed out that the lights de- “We had a great dialogue with the Place and charged with driving while juana and possession of drug para- subjected to the ordinance? What during the terror attacks on July 7. signed to light the pond at night for ice- neighbors and I am very impressed intoxicated and refusal to submit to a phernalia. All were released with a happened to the Open Public Meet- “Thank you for your service. It re- skating have been broken for 20 years. with both their patience and their breathalyzer test. She was released to summons. ings Act and debating things.” minds us that there is more good in The main problem facing the pond willingness to participate in the solu- a responsible individual. Johnson was additionally wanted Mr. Gildea said, “I think it is irre- the world than evil,” Mayor Andrew is the lack of constant maintenance. tion,” said Councilman Foerst. “Also, WEDNESDAY, on an active traffic warrant out of sponsible to say that we had back Skibitsky said. Sean is a University Residents want a maintenance sched- I want to thank Mayor Skibitsky for JULY 27 Plainfield for $250, for which he door meetings or private meetings. of Richmond student and Westfield ule so the algae does not build up in his hands on approach to the problem Pawel Zakowski, 25, of Orlando, posted bail, and was released on his That was not the case. This was a Rescue Squad member who for three the pond, the weeds don’t become and for his sincere interest in address- Fla. was arrested at Central Avenue own recognizance on an outstanding public process for a year and a half hours performed triage, dressed overgrown and the water system ing the concerns of the residents of and Clover Street and charged with criminal warrant from Dunellen. that started with the paving project.” wounds and comforted the injured. doesn’t clog again. the Fourth Ward.” He stated the town had to deal with a Mayor Skibitsky said the town hon- crosswalk that was “unapproved by ors his “admirable efforts in an attack the state and not handled correctly against innocent people.” from previous council.” Sean was humble during his short See it all on the Web! Mr. Gildea compared the issue of comments, saying, “If it had been adding increased lighting and safety anyone else in my squad, they’d have to when the Lord & Taylor depart- done the same thing. I learned every- goleader.com ment store received new lighting to thing I know from the squad and I increase safety on North Avenue. Mr. want to thank Miki (Captain Urso) Gildea said the “Y” paid for parts of for what they taught me.” Board Reviews Changes DEEGAN To Land Use Ordinance

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 an ordinance is working until it has that share parking. According to Law- ROOFING been “in place for a while.” He also yer, George Canellis, who represents noted that discussion of the proposals the applicants, the buildings are a would be ongoing between members combination of office and residential COMPANYof the Town Council and members of use. Planning Board members stated the Planning Board, and is subject to that the approval is contingent upon more public hearings. approval of the county and the town If you’re a safe driver, I can help you council as the applicant looks to re- save money on your car insurance. Call me today. In other business, an application at 415 and 419 South Avenue West was move one or two street metered park- (908) 301-0711 908-322-6405 approved to construct decks and add ing spaces. a driveway between the properties Engineer James J. Mantz testified Ron Bansky to members that the loss of the one or 715 Central Avenue Suite 10 Reading is Good For You! two spaces would make way for “bet- Westfield Tear-Offs • Re-Roofs ter site distance for an entrance and [email protected] exit to the properties.” This, he stated, would be safer for patrons using the Repairs • Gutters office building and for residents oc- Call for a free quote. cupying housing there. Discount and insurance subject to availability and qualifications. Discount amount may be lower and applies The next Planning Board meeting to most major coverages. Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company, Home Office, Bridgewater, NJ ©2004 Free Estimates • Fully Insured is scheduled for September 8, begin- Allstate Insurance Company. goleader.com ning at 8 p.m.