Mount Arlington man charged with trying to kill wife with ice pick
Sunday, February 08, 2009MOUNT ARLINGTON: A 62-year-old local man was charged with attempting to kill his 59-year-old wife with an ice pick, according to Mt. Arlington Police and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.
A 911 call by the victim at 2:16 a.m. Sunday brought two police officers to the Orben Drive home, where the officers heard her screaming for help before looking in a window and seeing her husband repeatedly strike the woman with an ice pick.
Terry Vanderbuilt was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest, said Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq.
The two officers, Sgt. William Lowry and patrolman Dennis McCoach were commended by Bianchi for "the prompt response and entry into this residence averting what could have been a very tragic outcome. These officers in all likelihood saved the victim's life," he said.
Police Chief Richard Peterson noted, "Sgt. Lowry and Patrolman McCoach are true professionals. They are a credit to the Mt. Arlington Police Department and the residents that we serve. I am extremely proud of the manner in which they handled this incident."
The victim, who suffered 17 injuries from the assault, was air lifted to Morristown Memorial Hospital where she underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition.
Vanderbuilt was lodged in the Morris County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail set by Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Mt. Arlington Police Department at 973-398-2100 or the Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers Program at 973-COP-CALL (973)-267-2255.
Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.