Now, the brothers, ages 15 and 17, are accused of murdering a 12-year-old girl from the neighborhood and stuffing her body into a recycling bin, a crime that has shaken this south Jersey community where "everybody knows everybody." Authorities say Autumn Pasquale, a well-known and well-liked seventh-grader, was lured with the promise of new parts for the beloved bicycle she was riding before she disappeared Saturday afternoon. Her body was found Monday night in the recycling bin behind a vacant house next to the boys' home.
Sixteen-year-old Na'eem Williams, who described himself as a close friend of the 15-year-old, said that he knew the brothers to take bicycles but that it was a leap to think them capable of killing someone. "I know they didn't do nothing like that," he said. "I know they couldn't, especially not with a young girl." Another neighbor, Toni Fiorella, saw a different side of the boys. She'd see their mother drop them off at the laundromat to do the family's wash. She didn't know them by name, but they were always respectful. Their mother must be on to something, Fiorella thought. "It's good," she said. "She's making them responsible."
The boys were charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in Autumn's death. Authorities have not discussed a motive and have not released the names of the brothers because they are charged as juveniles. The Associated Press is withholding the names for the same reason. Deputy Public Defender Jeffrey Wintner said his office was representing both defendants, though a private attorney had been assigned to handle one of the cases. He said the office would have no comment. Autumn's mother, Jennifer Cornwell, told reporters Tuesday that she felt as though her daughter had been treated "like a piece of trash" because of where her body was recovered.
The girl's father, Anthony Pasquale, a postal worker in Clayton, said he is familiar with the family of the suspects. "Everybody knows everybody," in the town of 8,000, he said, "whether they're friends or acquaintances." The boys, who have other brothers who are not charged in the case, were themselves seen at a vigil held Monday night for Autumn. The younger boy apparently exchanged messages with Autumn's teenage brother on Facebook on Sunday. The brother, A.J. Pasquale, wrote on his page that police, search dogs and the media were involved in the search. "thts good," was the reply from an account that appeared to belong to the 15-year-old suspect.
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2 sides to NJ teens accused of killing girl - Yahoo! News
