Judge denies motion to reduce Jack Fuller’s bail

(originally published by Brick Township Bulletin November 11, 2004)

Prosecutor’s Office still waiting on autopsy results

BRICK — Jack Fuller Jr., the man authorities believe is responsible for Brittney Gregory’s death, remains in Ocean County jail after his attorney tried to have his bail reduced last week.

John Goins, an Elizabeth-based attorney, asked state Superior Court Judge Vincent Grasso to reduce Fuller’s $1 million bail on Nov. 1. The motion was denied after Executive Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Ronald DeLigny presented information that the state police DNA laboratory found the blood in Fuller’s vehicle was that of the 16-year-old’s.

According to Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Robert A. Gasser, there was another passenger in Fuller’s vehicle with Brittney on July 11, the day she disappeared. Tom Long, the other passenger, was in the vehicle when Fuller picked Brittney up. At that time Brittney was seated in the rear of the vehicle and moved up front when Long was dropped off, Gasser said.

Another witness reportedly told police that Fuller spoke to him about how deep a body should be buried so it cannot be found. In addition, Fuller’s daughter has a restraining order against him and, therefore, Fuller would have no place to go if he were to make bail, Gasser said.

All this information was presented by DeLigny in an effort to keep his $1 million bail in place.

Gasser said on Friday that he spoke with Ocean County Prosecutor Thomas F. Kelaher and the autopsy results that would reveal the cause of Brittney’s death and whether or not she was sexually assaulted have not yet been returned.

Fuller has been held at Ocean County jail, Toms River, since July 18.

Brittney’s body was discovered on July 27 after she had been missing for two weeks. Her body was found buried in Lakewood in a 2-foot-deep grave near the Metedeconk River boundary, separating Monmouth and Ocean counties. The site is about 2 miles from Brittney’s home.

Authorities have disclosed little information about how the investigation led to Fuller, who has served two prison terms for burglary, theft and other offenses since 2000. Kelaher has said law enforcement authorities had more than ample evidence to establish probable cause and to arrest Fuller, a resident of Howell, and charge him with first-degree murder.

There is no known motive for the crime.