A 17-year-old driver, implicated in the tragic deaths of two girls in New Jersey, has yet to face adult charges. However, an attorney representing one of the victims suggested that it might be “quite reasonable” to escalate the case.
Brent Bramnick, who is acting on behalf of Maria Niotis’ family, noted that prosecutors in Union County have a 60-day window to decide if Vincent Battilolo’s case will transfer from juvenile court to adult court. This comes as Maria’s heartbroken mother seeks justice for both her daughter and her friend Isabella Salas.
Bramnick claims that prior to the incident, the accused driver was involved in two troubling incidents near Niotis’s home in Cranford, including one where he confronted police outside the house yet faced no serious consequences.
Although Battilolo is facing two counts of first-degree murder, much about the situation remains confidential due to the juvenile court’s jurisdiction.
“Given what I know about the case, it’s not unreasonable for prosecutors to consider treating this defendant as an adult,” remarked Bramnick, who has experience as a federal prosecutor.
He also shared that the family prefers not to publicly comment on whether Battilolo should be charged as an adult, though they expect to be consulted during the sentencing process.
“I want justice for Maria and Isabella; that’s my focus,” Fula Niotis stated emotionally in an interview, expressing her desire for justice for the two girls.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office has not offered an immediate statement but had previously indicated that it is evaluating all possible legal options.
Bramnick mentioned that Battilolo had been harassing Maria since March, escalating to concerning behaviors in September, which included making unnecessary calls to the Niotis residence—a practice known as “swatting.”
In both instances, the Niotis family held Battilolo responsible. It is worth noting that Battilolo’s father had worked in law enforcement, raising concerns about potential biases.
During the second incident, Battilolo was observed waiting outside the Niotis residence in his car, prompting police interaction; however, instead of arrest, authorities allowed him to leave with his father, according to Bramnick.
The attorney emphasized that his clients are anxious to understand why more preventive steps weren’t taken to avert the deadly crash. “Was there an investigation? If so, what was done?” Bramnick questioned.
There are concerns within the Niotis family that Battilolo’s familial ties to law enforcement might have shielded him from repercussions.
“Our family believed the law enforcement community thought they were above accountability,” Bramnick relayed in an interview.
Battilolo’s father retired from the Chatham Borough Police Department last December.
Meanwhile, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battilolo, the suspect’s uncle, has condemned the tragedy.
Disturbing livestreams prior to the incident revealed Battilolo disparaging Maria and her mother, contending that unjust accusations had previously led him into trouble.
Interestingly, Bramnick disclosed that he had ordered a pizza from the Niotis home about a week before the fatal event during one of Battilolo’s YouTube streams.
The teenager was first taken into custody the night of the crash but was subsequently released—a move that raised further questions for Bramnick and the Niotis family about the police’s actions.
“Why was he released that night? We want clarity on that,” he stated.
