Jonathan Sander faces three murder charges in the deaths of Sandy Mazzella, 47, his wife, Stephenie Ann, 43, and Elaine Toby Mazzella, 76, who was Sandy's mother.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. - After Jonathan Sander was ordered held without bail Monday in the shooting deaths of three family members from New Jersey, the son of one of the victims called out.
"Hey Sander, you rot in hell you piece of garbage," said Rich Sussman of Elmwood Park, according to the Wake County News & Observer. Sussman's mother, brother and sister-in-law were shot and killed in their North Carolina home Friday evening.
Jonathan Sander faces three murder charges in the deaths of Sandy Mazzella, 47, his wife, Stephenie Ann, 43, and Elaine Toby Mazzella, 76, who was Sandy's mother.
Sander, 52, who lived next door to the Mazzellas, entered their home shooting shortly before 6 p.m. Friday night, according to Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison.
"It looks like an ongoing argument between families," Harrison said in a statement. Harrison said deputies had been called to the Mazzella home hours before the shooting to handle a dispute.
In court Monday, Sander was ordered held without bond on three charges of first-degree murder.
Judge Robert Radar told Sander he faces life in prison or the death penalty if convicted.
Sander, who wore a striped jail uniform, said nothing during the hearing and did not appear to react to Sussman's comments.
Sandy Mazzella grew up in New Milford. His wife, Stephanie, grew up in Jefferson Township and graduated Felician College in Bergen County with a degree in nursing. She also lived in Belleville and attended Bloomfield College and worked at Clara Maas Hospital.
Public records show Sander lived for a time in Avenel section of Woodbridge.
The Mazzellas moved several years ago to Pennsylvania, where they met Sander, friends have said.
Sandy Mazella and Sander later became business partners, operating a landscaping company out of Wake Forest.
Authorities have not said what the ongoing dispute is about.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.