Bayside State Inmate Found Guilty For 2022 Beating Death Of Fellow Inmate
Sunday, June 1, 2025, 7:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
LEESBURG, NJ.- A 45-year-old Trenton, New Jersey, man and former inmate at Bayside State Prison is facing up to life in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted on Thursday in connection with the brutal beating and strangulation death of a fellow inmate that occurred in November 2022.
According to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, following a trial in Cumberland County Superior Court, a Jury found Bruce Duette, 45, guilty of first-degree Murder for the death of Martin Sanchez. Following the jury returning their finding of guilt, Superior Court Judge Cristen P. D’Arrigo accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for July 21, 2025. At that time, Duette faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years and up to life in New Jersey State Prison.
The jury also found Duette to be a persistent offender, which at the time of sentencing makes him eligible for an extended term of imprisonment.
Evidence Presented At Trial Proved Duette Killed Sanchez
During the trial, the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office presented evidence that on November 21, 2022, Investigators from the New Jersey State Department of Corrections Special Investigations Divison responded to Bayside State Prison in Leesburg, New Jersey, after receiving a report that a homicide had occurred at the facility.
Upon arrival, Investigators learned that the victim, Martin Sanchez, had been located unresponsive in his cell, having sustained serious facial and head injuries. Mr. Sanchez was pronounced deceased while at the prison.
A post-mortem examination by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Offices determined the Cause of Mr. Sanchez’s Death was blunt force injuries to his head and neck compressions and the Manner of Death Homicide.
During a joint investigation by Investigators of the NJDOC Special Investigation Division and Detectives of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office developed information linking Duette to the murder, and following Duette’s DNA being found on the inside of a sneaker and under Mr. Sanchez’s fingernails, Duette was formally charged with Mr.Sanchez’ murder.
Mr. Sanchez had been set to be released from Bayside State Prison on the following day, November 22, 2022.
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