MAYS LANDING- A 38-year-old Philadelphia man who is charged with murder in the death of his younger brother that occurred in May at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City has been extradited and will appear on Wednesday for a detention hearing, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.
Police say Mr. John A. Villante was extradited from Philadelphia, PA, on Friday and will appear for a detention hearing on Wednesday, August 21.
According to authorities, on May 28, at approximately 3:10 p.m., Harrah’s Hotel security was contacted in reference to a medical emergency in a room on the 11th floor of the Harrah’s Hotel.
The victim, identified as 32 year-old Joseph Villante, of Philadelphia, PA, was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division where he was pronounced deceased. Atlantic City Police responded and notified the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and a cooperative investigation commenced.
An autopsy was completed by the Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and the cause of death was ruled to be multiple injuries, including blunt force injuries of the head. The manner of death was determined to be homicide
Investigation led to the arrest of Joseph Villante’s brother, John A. Villante on May 30, 2019, without incident in Philadelphia, PA, with the assistance of the Philadelphia Police Homicide Fugitive Squad and the Philadelphia Highway Patrol. He is lodged at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. John A. Villante had been held in custody in Philadelphia, PA, until his extradition on Friday.
Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey represents the state in this matter.