Ernest Ingenito
Spree Killing Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Franklin Township, New Jersey
TIME PERIOD
November 17, 1950
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
On November 17, 1950, Ernest Ingenito committed a spree killing in Franklin Township and Minotola, New Jersey, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including his wife, Theresa Mazzoli, and her family, while injuring four others. The incident occurred following a period of escalating personal issues, with Ingenito reportedly motivated by revenge against his mother-in-law, whom he disliked. He utilized multiple firearms, including a Luger P08 and a Mauser C96, during the attack. Ingenito was apprehended and subsequently convicted of five counts of first-degree murder and 29 counts of sexual assault, receiving a life sentence in 1951. He died in prison on October 7, 1995, while serving his sentence. The case remains significant due to the brutality of the crime and the impact on the local community.
Ernest Ingenito's rampage is often speculated to stem from deep-seated issues related to his abusive behavior, particularly towards women, and a desire for revenge against his wife and her family. Some believe his violent tendencies were exacerbated by his tumultuous upbringing and experiences in reformatories, which contributed to his eventual breakdown. Additionally, there is speculation that his mental health deteriorated after his military service, influencing his violent actions on that fateful day.
The Tragic Tale of Ernest Ingenito: A Deadly Spree in New Jersey
In the annals of American crime, few stories are as chilling as that of Ernest Martin "Ernie" Ingenito, a man whose life spiraled into a nightmare of violence and despair. Born on May 27, 1924, in Wildwood, New Jersey, Ingenito's early life foreshadowed a turbulent future. He was the eldest of three children in a family of Italian descent, frequently uprooted between Wildwood and Philadelphia. By the age of thirteen, his parents had separated, setting the stage for a troubled adolescence.
Early Troubled Life
Ingenito's criminal tendencies emerged early. At just ten years old, he faced his first run-in with the law for theft, which led to his initial confinement in a reformatory at fourteen. This pattern of incarceration persisted until he was finally paroled and returned to Wildwood to live with his mother. At seventeen, he married Doris Breslin, a sixteen-year-old who soon became pregnant and gave birth to their daughter, Dorothy. The marriage was marred by reports of his abusive behavior.
World War II saw Ingenito drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. However, his military career was cut short after two court-martials: one for going AWOL in response to rumors of his wife's infidelity, and another for assaulting two superior officers. This resulted in a dishonorable discharge and a two-year stint at Green Haven Correctional Facility, part of the Sing Sing complex.
A New Beginning and a Fateful Marriage
Upon his release, Ingenito married Theresa Mazzoli, the 21-year-old daughter of Michael and Pearl Mazzoli, who owned a farm in Franklin Township, New Jersey. Initially, the marriage seemed promising. Ingenito worked on the farm, and the couple had two sons. While he maintained a cordial relationship with his father-in-law, his relationship with his mother-in-law, Pearl, was strained.
The marriage soon deteriorated, exacerbated by Ingenito's new job at a local appliance store and suspicions of infidelity. Michael Mazzoli's suspicions led him to evict Ingenito, who then moved in with family friends, Al and Kay Rulis. Theresa's plans for divorce intensified Ingenito's desperation, as he sought legal advice on securing visitation rights for his children. During this period, he began amassing a collection of firearms and regularly practiced target shooting.
The Night of the Killings
On the evening of November 17, 1950, Ingenito armed himself with a Luger, a Mauser C96, and a .32 caliber rifle and drove to the Mazzoli residence. His confrontation with Theresa and her family escalated rapidly. When Michael Mazzoli attempted to intervene, Ingenito shot him twice, killing him instantly. Theresa was shot in the stomach and shoulder as she attempted to flee.
The violence spilled over to the neighboring Pioppi household, where Ingenito pursued Pearl Mazzoli. In the chaos, he shot Theresa Pioppi in the doorway and killed her pregnant daughter, Marion. Ingenito also wounded nine-year-old Jeannie Pioppi and killed Pearl as she hid in a closet. John Pioppi, Pearl's brother, was also fatally shot after attempting to confront Ingenito with a knife.
Ingenito's rampage continued in Minotola, where he targeted Theresa's aunt and uncle, Frank and Hilda Mazzoli. Both were critically wounded but survived, while their young children witnessed the horror unfold. Ingenito's killing spree claimed five lives and left four others injured before he was apprehended by the New Jersey State Police. Though he confessed during questioning, he refused to sign a formal admission of guilt.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Ingenito's initial trial resulted in a life sentence for the murder of Pearl Mazzoli, largely due to his lawyer, Frank Sahl, convincing the jury to recommend mercy, sparing him from the electric chair. The four assault charges were dismissed, and it took five years before he faced additional murder charges. Initially, his defense intended to plead insanity but ultimately entered a "no contest" plea. Ingenito was permitted to serve his sentences concurrently.
The leniency of the life sentence sparked public outrage, with even Governor Alfred E. Driscoll expressing his dismay, though he saw no grounds for intervention. As New Jersey lacked a life sentence without parole, Ingenito was released in 1974, settling in Trenton and working for Trap Rock Industries.
A Grim Epilogue
Ingenito's return to civilian life was short-lived. In 1994, he faced arrest for sexually assaulting his girlfriend's daughter, beginning when she was just eight years old. Found guilty on 29 counts, Ingenito's threats to silence the girl included recounting his past atrocities, cementing his menace. This time, he received a 50-year prison sentence. On October 7, 1995, Ernest Ingenito died of heart failure in New Jersey State Prison, leaving behind a legacy of tragedy and violence.
Sources
For more details, visit the original Wikipedia article: Ernest Ingenito
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Family Massacre
Ernest Ingenito kills five members of his wife's family and injures four others in a shooting spree.
Ingenito Arrested
Ernest Ingenito is arrested by New Jersey State Police after confessing to the killings.
Initial Sentencing
Ingenito is sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Pearl Mazzoli, with public outrage over the leniency.
Additional Charges
Ingenito faces four additional murder charges but pleads no contest, receiving concurrent sentences.
Release from Prison
Ingenito is released from prison after serving time for the family massacre due to lack of life sentence without parole.
New Arrest
Ingenito is arrested for sexual assault of his girlfriend's daughter, leading to multiple charges.
Conviction for Assault
Ingenito is convicted on 29 counts of sexual assault and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Death in Prison
Ernest Ingenito dies of heart failure while serving his sentence in prison.
On November 17, 1950, Ernest Ingenito committed a spree killing in Franklin Township and Minotola, New Jersey, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including his wife, Theresa Mazzoli, and her family, while injuring four others. The incident occurred following a period of escalating personal issues, with Ingenito reportedly motivated by revenge against his mother-in-law, whom he disliked. He utilized multiple firearms, including a Luger P08 and a Mauser C96, during the attack. Ingenito was apprehended and subsequently convicted of five counts of first-degree murder and 29 counts of sexual assault, receiving a life sentence in 1951. He died in prison on October 7, 1995, while serving his sentence. The case remains significant due to the brutality of the crime and the impact on the local community.
Ernest Ingenito's rampage is often speculated to stem from deep-seated issues related to his abusive behavior, particularly towards women, and a desire for revenge against his wife and her family. Some believe his violent tendencies were exacerbated by his tumultuous upbringing and experiences in reformatories, which contributed to his eventual breakdown. Additionally, there is speculation that his mental health deteriorated after his military service, influencing his violent actions on that fateful day.
The Tragic Tale of Ernest Ingenito: A Deadly Spree in New Jersey
In the annals of American crime, few stories are as chilling as that of Ernest Martin "Ernie" Ingenito, a man whose life spiraled into a nightmare of violence and despair. Born on May 27, 1924, in Wildwood, New Jersey, Ingenito's early life foreshadowed a turbulent future. He was the eldest of three children in a family of Italian descent, frequently uprooted between Wildwood and Philadelphia. By the age of thirteen, his parents had separated, setting the stage for a troubled adolescence.
Early Troubled Life
Ingenito's criminal tendencies emerged early. At just ten years old, he faced his first run-in with the law for theft, which led to his initial confinement in a reformatory at fourteen. This pattern of incarceration persisted until he was finally paroled and returned to Wildwood to live with his mother. At seventeen, he married Doris Breslin, a sixteen-year-old who soon became pregnant and gave birth to their daughter, Dorothy. The marriage was marred by reports of his abusive behavior.
World War II saw Ingenito drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. However, his military career was cut short after two court-martials: one for going AWOL in response to rumors of his wife's infidelity, and another for assaulting two superior officers. This resulted in a dishonorable discharge and a two-year stint at Green Haven Correctional Facility, part of the Sing Sing complex.
A New Beginning and a Fateful Marriage
Upon his release, Ingenito married Theresa Mazzoli, the 21-year-old daughter of Michael and Pearl Mazzoli, who owned a farm in Franklin Township, New Jersey. Initially, the marriage seemed promising. Ingenito worked on the farm, and the couple had two sons. While he maintained a cordial relationship with his father-in-law, his relationship with his mother-in-law, Pearl, was strained.
The marriage soon deteriorated, exacerbated by Ingenito's new job at a local appliance store and suspicions of infidelity. Michael Mazzoli's suspicions led him to evict Ingenito, who then moved in with family friends, Al and Kay Rulis. Theresa's plans for divorce intensified Ingenito's desperation, as he sought legal advice on securing visitation rights for his children. During this period, he began amassing a collection of firearms and regularly practiced target shooting.
The Night of the Killings
On the evening of November 17, 1950, Ingenito armed himself with a Luger, a Mauser C96, and a .32 caliber rifle and drove to the Mazzoli residence. His confrontation with Theresa and her family escalated rapidly. When Michael Mazzoli attempted to intervene, Ingenito shot him twice, killing him instantly. Theresa was shot in the stomach and shoulder as she attempted to flee.
The violence spilled over to the neighboring Pioppi household, where Ingenito pursued Pearl Mazzoli. In the chaos, he shot Theresa Pioppi in the doorway and killed her pregnant daughter, Marion. Ingenito also wounded nine-year-old Jeannie Pioppi and killed Pearl as she hid in a closet. John Pioppi, Pearl's brother, was also fatally shot after attempting to confront Ingenito with a knife.
Ingenito's rampage continued in Minotola, where he targeted Theresa's aunt and uncle, Frank and Hilda Mazzoli. Both were critically wounded but survived, while their young children witnessed the horror unfold. Ingenito's killing spree claimed five lives and left four others injured before he was apprehended by the New Jersey State Police. Though he confessed during questioning, he refused to sign a formal admission of guilt.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Ingenito's initial trial resulted in a life sentence for the murder of Pearl Mazzoli, largely due to his lawyer, Frank Sahl, convincing the jury to recommend mercy, sparing him from the electric chair. The four assault charges were dismissed, and it took five years before he faced additional murder charges. Initially, his defense intended to plead insanity but ultimately entered a "no contest" plea. Ingenito was permitted to serve his sentences concurrently.
The leniency of the life sentence sparked public outrage, with even Governor Alfred E. Driscoll expressing his dismay, though he saw no grounds for intervention. As New Jersey lacked a life sentence without parole, Ingenito was released in 1974, settling in Trenton and working for Trap Rock Industries.
A Grim Epilogue
Ingenito's return to civilian life was short-lived. In 1994, he faced arrest for sexually assaulting his girlfriend's daughter, beginning when she was just eight years old. Found guilty on 29 counts, Ingenito's threats to silence the girl included recounting his past atrocities, cementing his menace. This time, he received a 50-year prison sentence. On October 7, 1995, Ernest Ingenito died of heart failure in New Jersey State Prison, leaving behind a legacy of tragedy and violence.
Sources
For more details, visit the original Wikipedia article: Ernest Ingenito
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Family Massacre
Ernest Ingenito kills five members of his wife's family and injures four others in a shooting spree.
Ingenito Arrested
Ernest Ingenito is arrested by New Jersey State Police after confessing to the killings.
Initial Sentencing
Ingenito is sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Pearl Mazzoli, with public outrage over the leniency.
Additional Charges
Ingenito faces four additional murder charges but pleads no contest, receiving concurrent sentences.
Release from Prison
Ingenito is released from prison after serving time for the family massacre due to lack of life sentence without parole.
New Arrest
Ingenito is arrested for sexual assault of his girlfriend's daughter, leading to multiple charges.
Conviction for Assault
Ingenito is convicted on 29 counts of sexual assault and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Death in Prison
Ernest Ingenito dies of heart failure while serving his sentence in prison.