A teenage boy was strangled with an extension cord by a fellow 17-year-old as they and a third boy prayed a "Hail Mary" in the victim's father's car, authorities said.
Robert Solimine Jr.'s killing apparently was planned by a group of teenagers who attended weekly meetings - some that opened with Bible readings - where they discussed ways to harm him, said Passaic County Prosecutor Ronald Fava."When they got to the line, `Now and at the hour of our death,' he flipped the cord over the seat and proceeded to strangle Mr. Solimine," Fava said. Solimine's body was found in the car in a school parking lot early Monday.
Fava said authorities were unsure of the motive for the killing.
"There was some indication (Solimine) wasn't their favorite person, that he was considered something of a pest," Fava said. "But those are reasons not to invite someone to your birthday party; they do not rise to the level of wanting to kill someone."
Five teens were charged with murder in the Sunday night killing: the boy suspected of strangling Solimine, a 14-year-old who was in the car, a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old police believe acted as lookouts, and Frank Castaldo, 18, who police say led the meetings.