MAYS LANDING - The alleged killer of an Egg Harbor Township mother and daughter faced a judge and heard the charges against him for the first time Thursday afternoon, just a day after the two women were found dead in their home in the township's Shires development.
Nicholas Nigro III, 25, faces two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of Paula Mulder, 21, and her mother, MariJane Buri-Mulder, 48. He is also charged with weapon possession.
"Our evidence indicates the defendant was at least at one time - and maybe still was - the boyfriend of the daughter," Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel said outside the courtroom.
He would not say whether there had been a history of domestic problems between the two or comment on a motive for the killing.
First Assistant Prosecutor Murray Talasnik represented the state in court.
Police received a call at about 3 a.m. Wednesday, telling them to go to the home in the 800 block of Scarborough Drive. Inside, they found the two women dead. Buri-Mulder was shot once in the head. Mulder was shot in the head and neck.
Two tall candles - one white and one pink - stood in front of the house Thursday. The neighborhood was quiet and the Mulder house appeared empty.
Nigro said little during his brief appearance before Superior Court Judge Michael Donio, but indicated he would need a public defender.
"I can't afford a lawyer right now," he quietly told the judge.
The short, slight man looked nervous at times throughout the proceeding. He was being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $2 million full cash bail. At his Ivins Avenue home, Nigro's mother said she didn't know what happened and declined talk to a reporter.
More than a dozen of the victims' family members were in court, but did not want to comment on the case.
About four people were there for Nigro.
Outside the courtroom before the hearing, there was a verbal confrontation between the two groups in the hallway. Sheriff's officers were quick to calm the situation.
About seven officers were in the courtroom during Nigro's appearance, but there were no problems. The victims' family members just stared at Nigro, a few weeping.
The slain women are survived by another daughter of Buri-Mulder, Kelly Mulder.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for the victims 12:30 p.m. Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Mays Landing, according to their obituaries in today's paper. Friends may call between 10 a.m. and noon Monday at Adams-Perfect Funeral Homes Inc., 1650 New Road in Northfield. They will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing.
Buri-Mulder was a waitress at Caesars Atlantic City for 25 years. She also was a top breeder of bichon frise.
Mulder attended Atlantic Cape Community College for a year. Her loves included animals, decorating and cooking.
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