NJ Teen Accused of Killing 2 Girls Plans Insanity Defense

The teenage son of a retired New Jersey police officer accused of fatally striking two high school girls with his Jeep plans to pursue an insanity defense, his attorneys informed a judge on Monday.

Vincent Battiloro, now 18, is charged with the murders of 17-year-old Cranford High School seniors Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, who were killed on September 29, 2025. His defense team stated their intention to present evidence of his mental health to avoid a conviction.

"The court has received … the notice of defenses that you have put forward of diminished capacity and insanity," Union County Judge Lisa Walsh said during the hearing.

Battiloro, whose father is a retired Chatham Borough police officer and whose uncle is a police chief, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He appeared in court in jail attire, handcuffed, while the mothers of Niotis and Salas wore shirts bearing their daughters' photos and watched intently.

Prosecutors allege that Battiloro stalked Niotis for months leading up to the incident. The motive, according to prosecutors, stemmed from Niotis reporting Battiloro to the police, which resulted in his suspension from school for harassment and stalking. In the weeks preceding the killings, Battiloro's parents reportedly contacted the police four times seeking guidance on handling their son, and his father stated that Battiloro had maced him and taken his car.

Attorneys for the victims' families indicated they were not surprised by the defense's strategy. "It doesn’t take away the grief," said Cory Rothbort, an attorney for the Salas family. Brent Bramnick, the Niotis family's lawyer, added, "they’re going to use every possible way they can to defend themselves."

Battiloro's legal team also intends to request a change of venue for the trial, citing significant media attention and unspecified public events. "There have been things that happened in the public eye as well as in the media since the outset of this case that already give rise for the basis of the motion," stated defense attorney Rubin Sinins.

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office has indicated it is not currently offering a plea deal. Battiloro faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the two murder counts. He was initially charged as a juvenile but was approved to be tried as an adult earlier this year.

Authorities claim that on the day of the incident, Battiloro drove his Jeep to Cranford, parked near one of the victims' homes, and then accelerated to approximately 70 mph in a 25 mph zone to strike Niotis and Salas as they rode e-bikes. He reportedly fled the scene on foot but was apprehended the same day. He was released into his father's custody hours later before being rearrested two days later.

Lawyers for the victims' families have called for an investigation into whether law enforcement mishandled the case due to Battiloro's family ties to the police department. Monday marked Battiloro's first in-person court appearance since the case moved to adult court.