Robert Marshall Death Brings Unpleasant Memories Back to Ocean County

The murder of a well liked, suburban, Toms River housewife by gun men in a quite

picnic area off the Garden State Parkway, sent shock waves through Ocean County in the 1980's. But what really seared the case in the minds of many residents, was the arrest of two men associated with the crime and the conviction of her husband, Robert Marshall in a murder-for-hire plot to collect $1.5 million dollars from a life insurance policy.

Ocean County Freeholder Joe Vicari served as Mayor of Toms River Township at the time. He recalled Maria Marshall as a lovely, refined, mother of three, who's sons participated in many of the activities in town. He said the residents were really shocked about the murder and followed the case closely that was being conducted by the New Jersey State Police.

"It really had a traumatic effect on Toms River and Ocean County", said Vicari. "Well people knew the family, they knew the children and they could not believe at first that anyone could do that because they wanted to get the insurance money."

This weekend's death of Robert O. Marshall, age 75, on Saturday, February 21, weeks before a scheduled parole hearing, closes the book permanently on endless appeals filed by Marshall who was at first sentenced to death for his wife's murder. However, decades later, a judge ruled for another hearing on the death sentence when Toms River Mayor Tom Kelaher was the Prosecutor of Ocean County. Kelaher explained why the death penalty was taken off the table for Marshall.

"You know, 23 years after the murder was kind of a depressing thing because I had only three guys left in the office who had ever worked on the case and we had a tough time getting juries to vote for the death penalty," said Kelaher.

Kelaher also added that New Jersey had lost its appetite for the death penalty anyway and was looking to get rid of it permanently. So, he said they let Marshall enter a plea without having to impanel a new jury.

In a statement released by Vicari, "The murder of Maria Marshall and the conviction of her husband Robert was a tragedy for the Marshall family. The high profile trial and ensuing book and television movie brought an undeserved notoriety to Toms River and Ocean County and was a blight to our entire community. While today's headlines are focused on Robert Marshall, let us not forget Maria Marshall whose life was violently cut short in 1984. Let us also say a prayer for Maria's three sons who lost their mother on that dark night more than 30 years ago."

Marshall was to undergo a parole hearing in March. His case was the inspiration of a best selling book and T-V movie Blind Faith.