A jury in Burlington County Superior Court recently convicted a Mount Holly man on two counts of murder and several weapons offenses in connection with the killings of his girlfriend and her father.
29-year-old Mount Holly resident Dennis Pozniak was found guilty of killing his girlfriend, 25-year-old Nicole Wilson, and her father, 52-year-old Bryan Wilson, in the late hours of January 30th or the early morning hours of January of 31st, 2015. The father and daughter were sleeping when Pozniak beat them to death with a pipe wrench. He had been living with the Wilson family at their home on Washington Avenue in Mount Holly prior to the brutal murders.
Pozniak, who was convicted on two counts of homicide and weapons offenses, is now facing a life-long sentence in New Jersey State Prison. He is being held in Burlington County Jail, pending his sentencing hearing on January 7th 2017. Pozniak’s attorney has attributed Pozniak’s crimes to his opiate addiction and lack of sleep before the murders. When presenting his client’s defense, Pozniak’s lawyer called a forensic psychologist to testify. This expert witness said that Pozniak suffered from an opiate-induced psychotic disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and an unspecified personality disorder, which contributed to his altered state of mind when committing these crimes.
New Jersey allows for the “insanity” defense, which is explained in section N.J.S.A. 2C:4-2 of the New Jersey Criminal Code. According to this statute:
“Evidence that the defendant suffered from a mental disease or defect is admissible whenever it is relevant to prove that the defendant did not have a state of mind which is an element of the offense.”
Even if this defense is not effective in warranting a verdict of “not guilty,” it may still be considered as a mitigating factor at the time of sentencing. A mitigating factor is defined as any information or evidence presented to the court regarding the defendant or the circumstances of the crime that might result in reduced charges or a lesser sentence.
Considering the egregiousness of the crimes for which he was just convicted, Pozniak is exposed to severe penalties. Under New Jersey law, criminal homicide (murder) is a first degree crime. However, murder is subject to extended sentencing guidelines. Typically, a first degree crime is punishable by a New Jersey State Prison term ranging from 10 to 20 years. On the other hand, murder/homicide entails a longer sentence of 30 years to life, with a minimum of 30 years that the defendant must serve before becoming eligible for parole.
In this case, Pozniak was convicted of two counts of murder, each of which carries a minimum 30-year term of incarceration. He could very likely be sentenced to life; however, his state of mind when committing these crimes may come into play during sentencing.
For additional information pertaining to this case, access the following article:Man guilty of beating girlfriend, her dad to death with wrench, report says
A jury in Burlington County Superior Court recently convicted a Mount Holly man on two counts of murder and several weapons offenses in connection with the killings of his girlfriend and her father. 29-year-old Mount Holly resident Dennis Pozniak was found guilty of killing his girlfriend, 25-year-old Nicole Wilson, and her father, 52-year-old Bryan […]
"William handled a matter for me and exceeded my expectations. He was excellent in all areas of the law and achieved an outstanding result. Best of all,he demonstrates honesty and integrity. I would highly recommend William and already have."
"I was so scared and nervous about my legal situation but Mr. Fay did an outstanding job with my case!!! I was so relieved with the outcome and he worked so hard for me! He was so calm and understanding and I’m so grateful for him. Thank you so very much for helping me! I am so grateful appreciative."
"William defended me in my marijuana + paraphernalia case, he had all charges dropped and expunged! Despite the fact I was long past conditional discharges/probation, etc. He has a sharp wit and a bright future ahead of him as an attorney. Thanks again Will!"
"Mr. Fay is a fantastic lawyer. He helped me during a very stressful time in my life. He was knowledgeable about my case and what my options were. He answered all my questions and was very reassuring. He was there waiting for me at the entrance on my court date and made me feel at ease. He worked with the prosecutor to reduce my charges. I got the best outcome I could have hoped for. I highly recommend Mr. Fay if you need a lawyer."
"I was arrested and summoned to court for possession of marijuana, even though I didn't have any on me. It was my first time getting in trouble and I was terrified and nervous. Mr. Fay came into court prepared and was extremely assuring. He made it very clear that he was going to fight for my case until the very end. He was extremely knowledgable about my case and the ways to resolve it. I would recommend Mr. Fay to anyone who has gotten into trouble."
"Mr. Fay is extremely caring and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain the entire process in a very clear manner and was a tremendous help during a stressful time. He was always available to take a phone call and really showed that he cared about me and my case. I highly recommend Mr. Fay as an attorney." "
"Great lawyer. Created a best possible outcome for my case."
"He did a fantastic job on my case, making my penalty much less than I thought it could possibly be. He clearly understands what he is doing and can explain everything in a way that anyone can understand. Any questions I had were answered very clearly and he listened to all small details of my case."
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Explains What Happens when You’re Caught with CDS in Another Container in Camden County, New Jersey Most know that having cocaine, heroin, or other illegal drug in your possession is illegal. You could go to jail after a law enforcement officer arrests you for carrying street […]
Camden County Fentanyl Defense Lawyer Handling Charges for Possession and Distribution of Fentanyl throughout Southern New Jersey Fentanyl abuse is a national epidemic. The drug originated as a painkiller intended to be more powerful and shorter-lasting than morphine. Today, it is a popular painkiller for surgery, far more potent than […]
The intention to distribute or transport illegal drugs (controlled dangerous substances) on a grand scale, either nationwide or internationally, is drug trafficking. While possessing certain drugs in New Jersey is unlawful, possessing large quantities of illicit drugs may be evidence of an intent to sell illegal drugs. In other words, […]
If you or someone you love has been charged with a criminal or DUI offense in New Jersey, finding the answers you need to make informed decisions is critical. Complete our contact form to request your free consultation or contact 609-832-3202
We are available 24/7 Nights and Weekends to Provide Free Consultations | Hablamos Español
