A New Jersey man, Bruce Duette, 45, has been sentenced to life in state prison after being found guilty of the murder of fellow inmate Martin Sanchez, 41, nearly three years ago. The incident took place just one day before Sanchez was scheduled to be released from prison. Duette’s sentence was handed down on Monday, July 21, following his conviction on May 29, 2023.
Details of the Crime and Investigation
The murder occurred at Bayside State Prison in Leesburg, New Jersey, on November 21, 2022. Sanchez was discovered in his prison cell with severe facial injuries and was pronounced dead at the facility. Authorities later determined that Sanchez had died from “blunt force head injuries and neck compression.”
An investigation into his death quickly revealed Duette as the prime suspect. DNA evidence linked Duette to the crime, with his DNA found inside Sanchez’s sneaker, sock, and under the victim’s fingernails. Additionally, two inmates told investigators they had seen Duette enter Sanchez’s cell and assault him, while another reported seeing Duette leave the cell covered in blood. Surveillance footage showed Duette and Sanchez interacting before the murder, though no video footage was available of the actual altercation.
Duette’s Background and Defense
At the time of Sanchez’s murder, Duette was already serving time for previous charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated manslaughter stemming from incidents in 2005 and 2009. He had also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after stabbing another inmate in the neck in 2024.
Duette’s defense team argued that the two men had been involved in “mutual combat” prior to the incident and that Duette was merely defending himself. However, the jury convicted him of murder after considering all the evidence presented in the trial.
Consequences of the Conviction
Duette’s life sentence will run consecutively to his current prison sentences, and he will not be eligible for release until he serves the full term. Sanchez’s family has not made any public statements following the sentencing, but the case has drawn attention to the severity of violent crimes in prison settings.
Authorities continue to monitor Duette’s actions within the prison system, where he faces additional charges following the stabbing of another inmate in 2024.
