Attempted murder charge for Eatontown shooting suspect

FREEHOLD - A shooting in an Eatontown motel that the victim survived, unsolved since January, now has a suspect.

Marqwell Nichols, 27, of Neptune, is charged with attempted murder for the gunfire that injured a 26-year-od woman in the Pan American Motel, according to the office of Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

The arrest took place Tuesday night. Nichols undertook his initial court appearance today. A detention hearing is scheduled for December 4.

In addition to the first-degree charge, Nichols also faces two second-degree weapons counts. The attempted murder charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison on conviction. New Jersey's No Early Release Act would require him to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence, plus five years of parole supervision.

Conviction for possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose carries a possible five-to-10-year sentence. If convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, Nichols wouls aldo face up to 10 years, subject to a mandatory minimum of the greater of either one-third the total, or 42 months.

Eatontown police arrived at the motel at about 8:35 on January 30, and began the 10-month investigation in conjunction with the Prosecutor's Office.

Both agencies urge anyone familiar with the situation to contact them. Monmouth Prosecutor's Detective Wayne Raynor can be reached at 800-533-7443. Eatontown Police Detective Jason Cardamoni can be reached at 732-542-0100.

Authorities did not disclose the nature of Nichols's legal representation. The County's case is led by Assistant Prosecutor Meghan J. Doyle.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

More from the Shore: