ELIZABETH, NJ — A man pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his girlfriend in their home on Dec. 30, 2024, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca, and Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves announced today.
Jose Melo, 53, of Elizabeth, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter before Union County Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez, Jr. on Thursday.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2026.
At that time, the Prosecutor’s Office will ask for a sentence in accordance with the plea agreement of 28 years in New Jersey State Prison, with a requirement that Melo serve 85% before becoming eligible for parole.
At approximately 9:12 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2024, Elizabeth Police Officers responded to a residence on Florida Street in response to a 911 call reporting a stabbing.
Upon their arrival they located the defendant’s girlfriend, Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, 31, of Elizabeth, who was found deceased.
Melo was subsequently detained and later charged.
