Georgio Gallara worked hard to build his pizzeria into a popular eatery, even staying late to cook for last-minute callers. His good nature led to his death.
Two teenagers "looking for a victim" lured the 24-year-old owner of Tony's Pizza and Pasta and one of his employees, Jeremy Giordano, to an abandoned house and killed them as they sat in the delivery car, authorities said.The 18- and 17-year-old boys were accused of telephoning four other restaurants Saturday night before they found one that would deliver to the ramshackle house in wooded Sussex County, 35 miles northwest of Newark.
Donna Rockafellow, a boutique owner who often dined at Tony's, wasn't surprised that Gallara would deliver a pizza to an unfamiliar address.
"He would always go the extra step," she said Monday, tears welling in her eyes. "If someone called late at night before closing and wanted a pizza, he'd throw one in the oven and deliver it."
Police and prosecutors say the crime was stunning for its violence and it seemed the assailants didn't care whom they killed. Nothing was stolen.
"It was chilling . . . coldblooded," said county prosecutor Dennis O'Leary. "It's usually the case that even in horrible murders, there's a more definable reason than there seems to be in this case."
"They were looking for a victim."
Charged with two counts of murder and weapons violations were Thomas Koskovich, 18, of Franklin and a 17-year-old from Vernon whose name was withheld by authorities because of his age.
Both pleaded not guilty and were jailed - Koskovich on $1 million bond. O'Leary said it was likely that authorities would seek to have the juvenile tried as an adult.