Edison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder of Wife

Juan J. Rojas, 35, of Edison, pleaded guilty Thursday to the attempted murder of his wife in her Freehold Township condominium on Jan. 1, 2009, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced.

The victim called 911 at 3:30 a.m. that morning and told police her estranged husband was trying to break in through the front door of her home in the Strickland Farms Development. The 911 dispatcher heard glass shatter as Rojas entered through the front window. Prosecutors said Rojas then stabbed the victim approximately 19 times in the neck, chest, abdomen, head, legs and back while the 911 line was still open.

Rojas dragged the victim to her bedroom and then fled through the bedroom window after police arrived. Freehold Township and Howell police entered the home, with Howell officers providing medical assistance to the victim as Freehold Township police searched for Rojas, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Police pursued Rojas’ vehicle onto Route 9, Highway 195 and the Garden State Parkway, where the New Jersey State Police joined the high-speed chase. At times, Rojas drove at speeds of over 100 mph. State troopers followed Rojas to Route 440 in Perth Amboy; the defendant eventually pulled over onto a local street and surrendered to police.

The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where she underwent surgery for her injuries, which included a punctured lung, prosecutors said.

Rojas is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Ronald L. Reisner for sentencing on the first degree attempted murder and second degree eluding charges on Jan. 27, 2012. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office will recommend a 15-year prison sentence.