Two Charged in 2016 New Jersey Cold Case Murder Following DNA Breakthrough

Two men face murder charges in a 2016 New Jersey cold case after DNA evidence linked them to the crime scene.
Federal agent investigating a crime scene in New Jersey Federal agent investigating a crime scene in New Jersey
By Steve Sanchez Photos / Shutterstock.

Executive Summary

  • Norman Mosley was fatally shot during a 2016 home invasion in Pemberton Township, NJ.
  • Investigators used advanced DNA testing on gloves found near the scene to link Kevin D’Costa and Daemen Hodge to the crime.
  • Both suspects face charges of felony murder, robbery, conspiracy, and weapons offenses.
  • The case relies on forensic advancements that allowed for the re-examination of physical evidence.

Two men have been charged with murder nearly a decade after the 2016 fatal shooting of Norman Mosley during a home invasion in Pemberton Township, New Jersey. According to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, the breakthrough in the investigation resulted from advanced forensic testing that linked the suspects to DNA evidence recovered near the crime scene.

Prosecutors state that on September 25, 2016, masked intruders entered Mosley’s residence on Alfred Drive in the Browns Mills section shortly before 10:00 p.m. During the incident, Mosley, 37, sustained two gunshot wounds. He was transported to Capital Health at Deborah Emergency Services by a witness but succumbed to his injuries approximately an hour later.

Investigators reported that the case remained unsolved until recent advancements in forensic technology allowed for enhanced DNA testing on gloves discovered near the residence. The analysis reportedly matched the DNA profiles of the victim and the two suspects: Kevin D’Costa, 45, of Irvington, and Daemen Hodge, 32, of Browns Mills.

Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw confirmed that D’Costa was served with the arrest warrant while already detained at the Essex County Correctional Facility on unrelated charges. Authorities arrested Hodge at a residence in Bordentown Township. Both men now face charges including felony murder, robbery, conspiracy, and weapons offenses.

Bradshaw highlighted the perseverance of the victim’s family, who maintained regular contact with law enforcement throughout the years. “We drew strength from the family’s support as we continued to investigate this case,” Bradshaw said in an official statement. “We will continue our tenacious investigative approach to find those who commit violent crimes and hold them accountable for the carnage they have caused.”

Forensic Impact and Legal Proceedings

The successful identification of suspects in this investigation underscores the critical role of evolving forensic technologies in resolving cold cases. By re-examining evidence with modern techniques, law enforcement can secure leads years after an event occurred. The case is now scheduled to be presented to a grand jury for potential indictment. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Secret Link