David M. Stead is accused of fatally shooting Thomas Wright II, 49, inside of Wright’s residence on Patty Bowker Road on July 1.
The following report is on file with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office:
Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi announced that a Pemberton Township man was indicted this week by a Burlington County Grand Jury for fatally shooting a Tabernacle Township resident in the victim’s home last summer.
David M. Stead, 42, of the 800 block of Pemberton-Browns Mills Road in Pemberton Township, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and third-degree theft by unlawful taking.
The indictment was returned on Feb. 2. An arraignment will be held soon in Superior Court. Stead is lodged in the Burlington County Jail on $1 million full bail.
Stead is accused of fatally shooting Thomas Wright II, 49, inside of Wright’s residence on Patty Bowker Road in Tabernacle Township in the early morning hours of Friday July 1.
State Troopers were called to the residence on July 1 after Wright’s father discovered his body inside of the residence.
The victim operated a business out of his residence known as Artisan Building Creations. His family went to check on him after he failed to show up at work.
The investigation revealed that Stead, who was formerly employed by the victim, went to the residence with the intention of robbing him.
Once inside, Stead shot Wright multiple times in the head and neck, then fled with a small amount of cash in a rented pickup truck that was being used by the victim.
The truck was later discovered on Colemans Bridge Road less than a mile from Stead’s residence.
The investigation was conducted by detectives from the New Jersey State Police, with assistance from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit.
