A Camden man has pleaded guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter in the 2017 death of an Atlantic City man, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.
According to authorities, Johnny Morgan, 34, pleaded guilty to first degree Aggravated Manslaughter and the aggregate sentence is 15 years in New Jersey state prison under the No Early Release Act and he must serve 12 years 6 months before he is eligible for parole.
Officials say Andrew McGarrigel, 53, of Atlantic City died on November 23, 2017, as a result of injuries sustained on November 3, 2017 in the area of N. Virginia Ave in Atlantic City.
During an altercation with McGarrigel, Morgan punched him once in the head and he fell to the ground and was unconscious. McGarrigel never regained consciousness and died from his injuries at Atlanticare Medical Center-City Campus a few weeks later.
The cause of death was determined by Southern Regional Medical Examiner as head injuries with complications and the manner of death is homicide.
Officials say Morgan is currently lodged at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. The plea proceeding was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Harlee Stein. Sentencing is scheduled for April 26th.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
Photo: Andrew McGarrigel