Michael Tsamas, 35, of Laurence Harbor, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with the 2022 stabbing death of Joseph Delgardio, 44, of Jackson Township. The sentence, issued by Ocean County Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, is subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring Tsamas to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Tsamas was convicted of Aggravated Manslaughter following a two-week jury trial. He was also found guilty of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.
The charges stem from a May 26, 2022, incident in which Jackson Township Police responded to a 911 call around 6:15 p.m. reporting a man lying in the roadway near West Veterans Highway and Conor Road. Responding officers found Mr. Delgardio suffering from a severe neck wound. Despite efforts by first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, an investigation revealed that Tsamas had been working for a Verizon-contracted company conducting door-to-door solicitations. He had approached Delgardio’s residence earlier that day to offer services. After Delgardio declined, Tsamas left the property. Shortly afterward, the two men encountered each other again in the street, where a physical altercation occurred. During the confrontation, Tsamas pulled a dagger from his pocket and fatally stabbed Delgardio.
Tsamas was arrested at the scene and transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was later released in accordance with New Jersey’s bail reform policies.
The case was investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, the Jackson Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.