NEW JERSEY
Daily Record
Written by
Peggy Wright
@peggywrightDR
A Mendham man with a history of psychiatric problems pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal mischief and agreed to pay $7,500 to resolve a charge that he used a sledgehammer to destroy a monument dedicated to victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Gordon Ellis, 39, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Mary Gibbons Whipple in Morristown to a disorderly persons offense of criminal mischief, according to defense lawyer Neill Hamilton and Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Scibetta.
Hamilton called the plea offer “reasonable” and said that reasons behind the vandalism will be given at sentencing on Feb. 7 but were not laid out by Ellis during his guilty plea. Hamilton said that the plea agreement calls for Ellis to make restitution, serve a period of probation that will be determined by the judge, and continue with mental health treatment.
Ellis had been indicted by a Morris County grand jury on a third-degree charge of criminal mischief but in negotiations between Scibetta and Hamilton, the charge was downgraded to a disorderly persons offense. Both sides had recognized that Ellis had a documented history of psychiatric problems.
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