Red Bank teacher’s suspected killers advance toward trials

James M. Fair, 28; Ebenezer Byrd, 36; and Gregory A. Jean-Baptiste, 27, of Asbury Park, were indicted Monday in Freehold, hold along with Jerry J. Spraulding, 38, of Keansburg, according to the office of acting Monmoth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

In the nine-count indictment, all four face first-degree charges of felony murder and robbery, and second-degree counts of conspiracy, burglary, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Byrd and Jean-Baptiste are each additionally charged with first-degree counts of witness tampering. Byrd and Spraulding face second-degree counts of certain persons not to possess weapons.

They remain in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, with bail for each set at $1,500,000, cash only. Judge Joseph Oxley stipulated a bail source hearing prior to posting, to establish the funding sources.

The six-year probe into Melton's death is one of the first that called on the resources of the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line, which offers cash reward for information leading to arrests and convictions.

According to authorities, Melton, 33 in 2009, taught at Red Bank Middle School, where she served on the School Improvement Team and as a Student Council advisor,as well as on Red Bank Regional High School's leadership program.

She also anticipated indoctrination to Lake Como's Mount Olive Baptist Church, and took an active role in the Christian Women's Encouragement Group, investigators said.

Melton was pronounced dead in her apartment by paramedics who arrived shortly after police, who had fielded a 911 call on the morning of September 14, about an unresponsive person in the Brighton Arms apartments on West Sylvania Avenue.

Investigators contend that the suspects planned to burglarize an apartment other than Melton's, but murdered her after realizing that they broke into her apartment in error.

First-degree felony murder counts carry prison terms of 30 years to life. They would be required to serve 85 percent of their sentences under New Jersey's No Early Release Act.

The remaining charges carry possible maximum sentences of 10 to 20 years, with required time served before parole eligibility.

Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Marc C. Lemieux and Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner are leading the case for the county.

Byrd's attorney is Paul Zager of Red Bank. Jean-Baptiste has retained Robert Konzelmann of Howell. Spraulding's attorney is Carlos Diaz-Cobo of New Brunswick. Fair is represented by Janes Leonard of Atlantic City.