🚨 Man Accused In 37-Stab Killing Found Incompetent

The New Jersey Appellate Division has upheld a ruling that David C. Shroitman, accused of stabbing 27-year-old anti-drug activist MaryRose Fealey 37 times in 2024, is mentally incompetent to stand trial.

A Somerset County judge previously determined Shroitman suffers from schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, with delusions that prevent him from meaningfully assisting in his defense.

Three experts evaluated him:

• Two concluded he is incompetent.

• One state expert disagreed.

The judge sided with the two doctors. The appellate court affirmed, stating the decision was supported by substantial credible evidence.

Shroitman has been committed to the Ann Klein Forensic Center for treatment and will be reevaluated. He cannot be released without a court order.

The charges remain active. The trial is paused unless he is later deemed competent.

On January 30, 2024, police responded to a 911 call and found Fealey outside a North Bridge Street housing complex with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A medical examiner confirmed she was stabbed 37 times.

Investigators later reported finding bleach containers and a written manifesto outlining a step-by-step plan for the killing inside Shroitman’s home.

Authorities confirmed the two knew each other and graduated from Somerville High School in 2014. No motive has been publicly released.

Fealey’s mother, who had publicly feared she would not live to see a trial while battling cancer, passed away on Christmas Eve.

The case now remains in medical review status.