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Day Laborer Charged With Killing Boss In Vacant Carteret House

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Murder charges were filed Wednesday against a day laborer who allegedly bludgeoned and stabbed his boss as they renovated a home in central New Jersey.

Middlesex County prosecutors said Adison Trigueno, 25, of Irvington, also faces a weapons charge in the death of Anthony Mocci.

Mocci, 50, was killed Jan. 29 at a home in Carteret, and authorities learned of the slaying the next day.

Mocci's neighbors were distraught over his death.

"I'm really upset," friend Marge Dunigan told CBS2 late last month.

He lived in Colonia with his wife and two children, but was remodeling the vacant Carteret house.

Dennis Dunigan, a friend of more than 20 years, said Mocci owned multiple construction companies.

"Whenever you need a hand, he's always been there. Construction-wise, he offers opinions, and any kind of help he can," Dennis Dunigan said.

Mocci's father is a prominent developer in the area, the family name is attached to several strip malls and properties. Neighbors told CBS2 last month that they could not imagine who would want to hurt Mocci.

"He's our neighbor and our friend, and he's dead. That's why it's a shock. I'm grieving for his family," Marge Dunigan said last month.

Trigueno had been charged earlier this month with forgery, theft by deception and uttering a forged instrument. Prosecutors say he allegedly deposited an undisclosed sum in his personal bank account after stealing and forging one of Mocci's checks.

After the murder charges were filed Wednesday, Trigueno's bail was raised to $1.075 million. He remained jailed late Wednesday.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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