A Franklinville man and former Marine, 28-year-old Walter J. Gilliano, was sentenced Thursday, May 7, to 40 years in New Jersey state prison for a 2022 parking-lot shooting that killed 31-year-old Chad Stuart. A judge ordered that Gilliano must serve 34 years before he can even be considered for parole, closing out a closely watched Gloucester County murder case that has drawn attention for both its facts and its pretrial legal battles.
Sentence and parole eligibility
The 40-year sentence came down in Gloucester County Superior Court on May 7, with the judge specifying that Gilliano will not be eligible for parole until he has served 34 years, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Prosecutors announced the punishment after Gilliano was convicted earlier this year.
How prosecutors say it unfolded
As detailed by the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and reported by Daily Voice, the shooting took place in the early morning hours of Sept. 24, 2022, after Villari’s Sports Bar had closed for the night. Investigators say an argument between Gilliano and Stuart broke out in the parking lot. Gilliano then drove away, returned a few minutes later with a handgun, and a witness told police they saw him point the weapon and fire. Stuart was rushed to a hospital, where he later died. Authorities say he became an organ donor.
Verdict after a four-week trial
Following a four-week trial, a Gloucester County jury found Gilliano guilty on March 3 of first-degree murder and two related weapons offenses, NBC10 Philadelphia reported. The verdict set up the lengthy sentence and sparked the usual debate over New Jersey’s sentencing ranges and how parole timelines are calculated.
Jury dispute and a state court order
Before the trial even wrapped, the case became a test of a statewide policy shift. After Governor Phil Murphy issued an executive order restoring jury-service eligibility for certain people with past convictions, Gilliano’s defense team pushed for a new jury panel. The New Jersey Supreme Court, however, declined to pause the trial and instead ordered it to continue with the original jury pool, according to a decision from the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Family, organ donation and fundraising
Stuart’s family has said he became an organ donor after the shooting, turning a parking-lot tragedy into lifesaving help for others. Community members have rallied around the family with fundraisers to help cover expenses. As of press time, a GoFundMe benefiting the Stuarts had collected more than $15,000, according to Daily Voice.
Prosecutor's statement
Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns publicly praised the work that led to the conviction and the lengthy sentence. "Our office remains steadfast in its commitment to seeking justice for victims of violent crime," Johns said in a statement quoted by RLS Media.
