Murder Suspect Arraigned in Court, Additional Charges Filed

The 24-year-old Connecticut man charged in connection with was arraigned in Newport's Second District Court this afternoon.

Zachary J. Lepelusa, of Milford, CT, was charged on a felony count of murder and a felony count of kidnapping, both in connection with the death of East Haven, CT, resident Antoinette Venditti Bruce. Lepelusa had no plea to either felony charge. Middletown police also filed two additional charges against him: one misdemeanor count of eluding police and another of resisting arrest. To those he pleaded not guilty.

Lepelusa was transported to the Courthouse by Middletown police shortly after 1 p.m. He entered the courtroom a little after 2 p.m., handcuffed and dressed in a white jumpsuit.

Judge William Clifton ordered that Lepelusa be held without bail. His next scheduled court appearance is a bail hearing on April 12.

Middletown police confirmed Wednesday that Venditti Bruce worked at a Connecticut Christmas Tree Shops and had been temporarily been assigned to the West Main Road store in Middletown to help with the reconfiguration with the store.

Lepelusa was formerly employed at the same Christmas Tree Shops in Connecticut as the victim. A spokesperson for Christmas Tree Shops would not say whether Lepelusa quit or had been fired.

In total, Middletown police said five crime scenes had to be processed involved with the case. Hanging Rock Road was closed, but has now been reopened. The Third Beach parking lot is also open again.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.