MOUNT HOLLY – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Pemberton Township man has been indicted for fatally attacking his wife earlier this year with a hammer and knife at their home in the Browns Mills section of the township.
Kenneth D. Arsenault, 59, of the first block of Cochita Trail, was indicted on one count of Murder (First Degree), two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree), and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).
The indictment was returned June 26 and signed by First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court.
Police were called to the Arsenaults’ home on April 7 at approximately 10 p.m. for a report of a woman screaming for help. Upon arrival, Pemberton Township police officers found Arsenault on top of his wife on the ground outside of their residence.
He was immediately taken into custody, and Lorraine Arsenault, 61, was transported to the Lourdes Emergency Department at Deborah in Browns Mills, where she was pronounced dead approximately one hour after being attacked.
The indictment was presented to the Grand Jury by Assistant Prosecutor Courtney J. O’Brien. Arsenault will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob VanGilst, supervisor of the Violent Crimes Section of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit.
The investigation was conducted by the Pemberton Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are Pemberton Township Detective Jonathan Glass and BCPO Detective Tom LaRosa.
An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.