The family of Judith Manis did not have kind words to say to the man who, after decades of marriage, smothered her with a pillow after an argument in August 2023 during his sentencing.
Michael Manis, a 72-year-old Hasbrouck Heights man, pleaded guilty in March to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and extreme indifference to human life after originally being charged with murder.
On June 28, Judge James Sattely sentenced Manis to 20 years in state prison and said he would be required to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Judith Manis' family gave impassioned victim impact statements, often breaking down while speaking about their "Aunt Juju" and how many of their memories were tied to her and Manis. Deborah Mueller, Judith's sister, said her death "shattered" her family and every day is a struggle with a constant reminder of the void left by Judith.
"Forgiveness seems out of reach right now," Deborah Mueller said. "But I know that I must strive to find peace in my heart. My faith urges me to do so."
Both of Judith's nephews, who are police officers in Wood-Ridge, spoke, as well as her niece, delivering powerful statements about how their happy memories of Manis' involvement in their lives are tainted by his actions.
Matthew Mueller spoke of his "loving uncle" stepping up and filling the void left by his father, how he taught them how to swim, play chess, ski and surf and how he was a constant presence throughout his childhood and provided "guidance, support and love." He said those memories were now tainted by Manis' "heinous act."
"I find myself questioning everything you've ever taught me, wondered if it was all a facade to hide the monster that lay within," Matthew Mueller said. "How someone who was such an important and positive influence in my life [could] do something so unspeakable."
Christina Mueller recalled how her aunt chose not to spend lavishly on herself but was "endly generous" with her and her brothers. She called Judith the "glue" that held the family together. She told Manis he is no longer a collection of memories and has been reduced to what he did and called him a coward. Michael Mueller told the court he taught his children that it takes a lifetime to build trust but only a minute to ruin it.
"And this is the ultimate betrayal, I am torn as a man, as a human, as a nephew, as a son, as a father," Michael Mueller said through tears.
Manis' attorney, Anthony Iacullo, said there were years of stress and verbal abuse by Judith Manis.
While arguing for a lesser sentence, Iacullo said he believed what happened between the Manises was an "aberration," resulting from something growing over time. He said Manis has "tremendous remorse" for what happened.
Manis made a statement in court, saying the prosecution had taken his statements made to police out of context, implying they were made with a rational mind when they were not. Manis said he was "practically suicidal" and mentioned wanting to die "20 times."
"So being under that level of stress, some of the words that I might have said may not have come out properly," Manis said.
He said he planned on reading a letter he sent to the judge, but said after "many hours of reflection," he didn't want "to paint an unflattering picture of my marriage and my wife who is regrettably no longer here." He said it might "embarrass" her family and he wants them to know the truth in private and said he sent it to his wife's sister.
Manis said he can "sympathize" with Judith Manis' family's pain by not knowing the full story.
"I didn't plan this. I didn't want this," Manis said. "But unfortunately it happened. ...There truly aren't enough words to express the remorse I feel."
Manis asked Sattely for mercy and to give him a suspended sentence, a probationary period and community service. He said he would like to rebuild his relationship with Judith's family. Iacullo noted to the court that this was not something he discussed with Manis prior to sentencing.
Sattely was less than impressed with Manis' request and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Talarico pointed out that the entirety of Manis' statement was about how his actions affected him and not how they affected Judith Manis' family. Both Talarico and Sattely said they have never had anyone ask for such leniency with a suspended sentence.
"The court is perplexed beyond belief that a request of that nature would be made," Sattely said.
Talarico said it is "offensive" that Manis would stand before the court and say how he has taken responsibility for his actions but then asks to be sent home. The prosecutor said after Manis smothered his wife, he wasn't worried about her well-being and he was more worried about how to get rid of the body.
Talarico said Manis and Judith got into a verbal altercation twice on Aug. 11 and by Manis' own words that Judith was mean to him and he took a pillow and smothered her, realized what he did and stopped himself. According to Talarico, Manis said his wife said additional mean things and "basically said if I'm going to jail I might as well finish the job." That was when Manis placed the pillow over Judith's head a second time and smothered her to death.
"If someone says something mean to you," Talarico said, "you are not entitled to take physical action against them."
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