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Hasbrouck Heights Homeowner, 83, Charged With Killing Tenant

A defense attorney this afternoon entered a not-guilty plea for an 83-year-old Hasbrouck Heights man who authorities said killed his 58-year-old tenant with a single gunshot to the chest during an argument over the weekend.

John C. Wisse talks with his attorney, Robert Galantucci.

John C. Wisse talks with his attorney, Robert Galantucci.

Photo Credit: Mary K. Miraglia

John C. Wisse was formally charged in a Hackensack courtroom with aggravated manslaughter and illegal weapons possession in the death of Gerald Velardi Jr. at his two-family Passaic Street home late Saturday afternoon.

Several of Velardi's relatives and friends attended the brief hearing, as did a man who was with Wisse and conferred with defense attorney Robert Galantucci.

Sources told CLIFFVIEW PILOT that Wisse -- who didn't say anything in court today -- called 911 around 5 p.m. Saturday to report the shooting.

The .38-caliber handgun was recovered, authorities said.

Wisse returned to the Bergen County Jail, where he remained held on $750,000 bail, after today's hearing.

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