The pair allegedly shot up the historic church on two separate ocassions in November and December, 2014.
A Somerville man and his cousin, both ex-Marines, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges they used high-powered weapons to fire more than 40 bullets into a northern New Jersey church, The Record reported. RIDGEWOOD -- A Somerville man and his cousin, both ex-Marines, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges they used high-powered weapons to fire more than 40 bullets into a northern New Jersey church that is recognized as a nationally historic structure, according to a report in The Record.
Joseph Galli, 22, of Somerville, and Alexander Norrell, 23, of Ridgewood, allegedly riddled the Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, built in 1800, with bullets on Nov. 16 and Dec. 26, 2014, causing more than $2,000 worth of damage, authorities have said. The church was empty on both occasions, authorities have said.
The pair have been charged in an eight-count indictment that includes weapons possession and property damage charges, the report said.
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As previously reported by NJ Advance Media, Galli, who was a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina at the time of the incident, was the alleged shooter. Norrell, his alleged accomplice, left the Marines in Sept. 2014.
In the two incidents, an AR-15-style high-powered rifle was used to fire approximately 40 rounds into the empty building during the overnight hours Nov. 16 and Dec. 26, authorities have said. The gunfire rattled parishioners and prompted increased police patrols in the area, authorities have said.
Prosecutors have said the church was targeted because it was isolated, not because it was a house of worship and no bias crime charges have been filed against the men.
Galli was being held on $100,000 bail at the Bergen County Jail, according to jail records. Norrell is free on bail, according to The Record.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
