Fatal stabbing victim identified
Allegedly killed after entering home darkened by a prior fire
The victim of a fatal stabbing earlier this week in Asbury Park has been identified as city resident Leroy Kyles, according to a news release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Kyles, 57, illegally entered an apartment in a building where a fire had earlier occurred, and there was no power in the structure, according to the release.
In the darkened house, Kyles encountered his cousin Robert Kyles, and Leroy Kyles was killed in an altercation that ensued, the Prosecutor’s Office alleges.
Robert Kyles was charged on June 4, 2013, with the fourth degree crimes of Obstruction of the Administration of Law, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender on an unrelated matter, according to the release.
The following is the full news release from the Prosecutor’s Office detailing the investigation, allegations and charges:
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department are engaged in a joint investigation into the June 4, 2013, death of Leroy Kyles, 57, of Asbury Park, New Jersey.
At 9:53 a.m. on June 4, 2013, the Monmouth County Radio Room received a 911 call from an individual on scene at 1004 Heck Street, Asbury Park. The caller reported that a deceased male was located inside of the second level of the two family home at that address. The address is comprised of two separate apartments which were independently occupied by 2 different families.
In response, officers from the Asbury Park Police Department responded and located the deceased, Leroy Kyles, inside of apartment number 2. Based upon the discovery, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department immediately launched a joint investigation into the death.
This was the second time within the course of several hours that the Asbury Park Police had responded to this location. On June 3, 2013, at approximately 11:37 p.m., the Asbury Park Fire Department responded to 1004 Heck Avenue after receiving a report of a structure fire. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire, which had originated in the first floor utility room. Police were also called to the location to assist. As part of standard protocol, the Fire Department thoroughly searched the entire residence located at 1004 Heck Avenue for any victims of the fire, but none were located. The Fire Department cleared from the scene at approximately 1:00 a.m., on June 4, 2013.
After the fire was extinguished, tenants from both apartments at the residence were relocated to an alternate location with the assistance of the Red Cross. Once this was accomplished, the Asbury Park Police left the scene.
The investigation into the death of Leroy Kyles led police to discover that Robert Kyles, a resident of apartment 2, who resides in that apartment with his sister and other family members, had returned to the upstairs apartment after the fire in order to sleep that night. In the early morning hours of June 4th, Leroy Kyles, who does not live in either apartment, unlawfully entered the darkened home, which was completely without power as a result of the fire. Once upstairs, the two cousins encountered one another and an altercation ensued. Leroy Kyles died during the altercation. Robert Kyles then left the residence.
Robert Kyles was charged on June 4, 2013, with the fourth degree crimes of Obstruction of the Administration of Law, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender on an unrelated matter. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard W. English, J.S.C. set Robert Kyles bail at $50,000, no ten percent. Robert Kyles was subsequently lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Leroy Kyles’ death remains ongoing. No other information will be forthcoming at this time.
If convicted of these fourth degree offenses, Robert Kyles faces a maximum sentence of eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison on each count.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
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