Calogero Ricotta murdered his wife and stepson after she sought a divorce. He received a 34-year sentence.
Calogero Ricotta, age 64, told his wife she could not leave. Maria Nugara wanted to end their marriage, but he stabbed his stepson when he interfered.
Maria, age 54, and Giuseppe Morreale, her 29-year-old son, died. The killings happened last year at their Essex home on May 28.
The judge said Joe showed great courage, contrasting this with Ricotta’s cowardly actions. Ricotta would not accept a divorce.
The judge said his ego meant no divorce, and he tried to force Maria to stay. He is from Sicily, Italy, and denied the charges.
Police said Joe tried to save his mother, but Ricotta stabbed them both. A detective called Ricotta violent and controlling.
Joe sustained fatal injuries. He tried protecting his mom, and Ricotta did not admit his crimes, causing the family great stress.
Police proved Ricotta’s self-defense claim false because the evidence dismantled it completely. Maria feared Ricotta and wanted to leave him.
Maria told friends that Ricotta scared her, and she felt endangered by him. She tracked his behavior to remove him.
The investigation showed hatred motivated him, as he hated that Maria tried to leave. Family called Maria and Joe pure-hearted.
They said Maria was beautiful inside and out, also kind, caring, and clever. Her voice is now missing from their lives.
She listened to them and their problems. Joe’s family labeled him a hero because he died attempting to save his mom.
They said he was the bravest person. Joe strived to improve his life, but it was cruelly taken from him. Ricotta harmed a youth present.