INDICTMENT IN TAVERN DEATH

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Ocean Township Police Chief Gerhard Frenz announce the indictment of Michael Lombardo, 39, of 13 Mast Drive, Barnegat for Murder in connection with the death of Robert Bethanis.  Mr. Bethanis died on September 19, 2014.  Mr. Bethanis suffered serious injuries allegedly inflicted upon him by Lombardo at the Lighthouse Tavern in Ocean Township on March 17, 2012.  Those injuries resulted in extensive hospitalizations.  Dr. Ian Hood, a forensic pathologist, determined that Mr. Bethanis died as a result of complications from those injuries.

Lombardo had previously been indicted for Attempted Murder.

Lombardo posted bail in the amount of $200,000 no 10% set by the Honorable James M. Blaney, J.S.C.  Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michel Paulhus is prosecuting the case.  Detective Brian Haggerty, of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and Detective Sergeant William Sneddon, of the Ocean Township Police Department, are the lead investigators.