Jersey City man with long criminal record sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatal shooting of girlfriend in their Heights home almost three years ago

Saturday, May 14, 2011
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Jersey City felon was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend in a crime of passion in their Heights home in 2008, officials said.

"I can find no mitigating factors whatsoever," Superior Court Judge Joseph Isabella said yesterday morning before sentencing Leonardo "Lenny" Buccheri, 42, for the manslaughter death of Soveira Rojas, 28, on Aug. 10, 2008.

Buccheri shot Rojas in the chest in their Webster Avenue home. Isabella noted the homicide occurred after the pair argued at a picnic where "alcohol and marijuana" were being used.

Buccheri was originally charged with murder, but after a two-week trial in August he was convicted of knowingly killing Rojas in the heat of passion and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Isabella sentenced Buccheri to 10 years for the manslaughter and five years for the weapons offense. He must serve nearly 13 years before becoming eligible for parole, and he has nearly 1,000 days jail credit since his arrest.

Buccheri claimed Rojas shot herself, but during the trial prosecutors presented evidence from the medical examiner and from ballistics tests they say showed Rojas could not have fired the round that killed her, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Rinaldi said.

Regardless of his conviction, Buccheri maintained his innocence at yesterday's hearing.

"This was a tragic accident that took place on that day (and) it had nothing to do with me," Buccheri said as four of the victim's family members listened tearfully in the court benches. "I understand the loss the family has suffered, as well as my own loss. I just wish the circumstances had been different."

Rinaldi noted that Buccheri has seven criminal convictions, has already served prison terms in New Jersey and New York, and that a number of his crimes are violent offenses.

"Quite frankly, I don't think there really is remorse here," said Rinaldi of Buccheri at the hearing. "I believe he is upset over what happened, but I don't think he feels remorse over what happened."

Yesterday afternoon, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said Buccheri "has been antisocial since he was a youngster and it culminated in a life being taken."

Jersey City man convicted of manslaughter in girlfriend's gun death in their Heights home two years ago

Saturday, August 14, 2010
By JULIUS ZEITLINGER
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Jersey City man accused of killing his girlfriend two years ago was convicted of manslaughter yesterday morning in a Hudson County courtroom.

The jury found Leonardo "Lenny" Buccheri, 42, guilty of knowingly killing someone in the heat of passion. He had been charged with murder. Soveira Rojas, 28, was shot dead on Aug. 10, 2008 in the Jersey City Heights home she shared with Buccheri, after the family came home from a barbecue.

Buccheri, who showed little reaction when the verdict was read, was also convicted of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a defaced weapon. He was found not guilty of hindering apprehension.

After the verdict was announced, the jury left the courtroom and Buccheri pleaded guilty to the charge of certain persons not to have weapons. That guilty plea was based on a prior conviction.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Rinaldi said he was pleased with the outcome. Rinaldi said the jury rejected the defense claim that Rojas' death was the result of suicide.

Rinaldi also said that the victim's family, who declined comment, "felt all along Rojas did not commit suicide and was relieved" with the outcome.

Defense attorney Paul Condon said he was "disappointed" by the manslaughter conviction. Condon said he believes juries find it hard to acquit someone of murder and feel they have to convict on a lesser crime.

Buccheri faces 5 to 10 years on the manslaughter conviction and another 10 years on the certain persons charge, said Condon.

With a prior history of crime, Buccheri faces up to 40 years in jail depending on the judge's ruling, said Rinaldi.

Rinaldi said that Buccheri would have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Condon said he plans to file a motion for a new trial and plans to appeal.

Buccheri's sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 8.

Murder charge for lover
Saturday, October 25, 2008
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The ongoing investigation into the death of a Jersey City woman gunned down in her Heights home in August led to the arrest of her boyfriend on murder charges yesterday, officials said.

Leonardo "Lenny" Buccheri, 40, was arrested at 11 a.m. at his Webster Avenue home and charged with murder in the Aug. 10 death of Soveira Rojas, 29, said Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio. At the time, Buccheri told police that Rojas shot herself when they returned from a barbecue in Bergen County, DeFazio said.

When police arrived, Rojas was dead on the kitchen floor with a bullet wound to her chest. Police found Buccheri's "defaced" .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, which fired the fatal round, and the next day he was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a defaced firearm, and other weapons offenses, officials said.

With the help of extensive ballistics tests on the gun by the State Police, the state Regional Medical Examiner's Office recently ruled Rojas' death a homicide, DeFazio said.

"Our allegation is that there was a prior dispute that day, a physical dispute, and he (Buccheri) was in possession of the gun and shot the victim once in the chest," DeFazio said.

After his arrest in August, Buccheri posted a $75,000 bail and was released. Buccheri was sentenced in May 1996 to a four-year term in state prison for burglary. He was released on parole in April 1997.

A defaced weapon is one which has had its serial number removed.

Prayers to this young mother's children and family.

Fatal shooting case hinges on answer

Friday, August 22, 2008
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The probe into whether a Jersey City woman fatally shot herself on Aug. 10 now moves to the Regional Medical Examiner's Office, which will determine whether her death was a suicide, homicide or accident, officials said yesterday.

Hudson County homicide detectives on Wednesday handed over to the medical examiner their findings in the case of Soveira Rojas, 29, of Webster Avenue, who was found dead in her bedroom on Aug. 10 with a bullet wound to her chest.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said he expects a ruling within days. He said the State Police have also joined the investigation and they are trying to determine the distance between Rojas and the gun when it fired.

Police responded to the home, near Congress Street, after her boyfriend, Leonardo "Lenny" Buccheri, 40, who shared the home, dialed 911.

Police found Buccheri's "defaced" .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, which fired the fatal round, and the next day he was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a defaced firearm, and other weapons offenses, officials said. He has not been charged with Rojas' death.

A defaced firearm is a gun with its serial number removed.

Buccheri told police that Rojas shot herself after they returned from a barbecue at Palisades Interstate Park in Bergen County, DeFazio said.

Buccheri was sentenced in May 1996 under the name of Lenny Buccheri to a four-year term for burglary. He was released on parole in April 1997, according to state Department of Corrections records.

Last week, state Superior Court Judge Kevin Callahan set Buccheri's bail at $75,000 cash or bond and he remains in custody.

Hey Fat Asshole, why don't you keep your highly insensitive snarky comments about this mother's tragic death to yourself, u freaking ghoul.

Quote:

A young attractive mother of three wanting to her own life? Her 40 year old boyfriend was also a convicted felon who had an illegal hand gun!!!! If I was a cop bells would be ringing in my head and i would quickly check the guys hand for gunshot residue.

Maybe she missed her head.

Quote:

if you're going to commit suicide, wouldn't you point the gun to your head - no guarantee of success for a chest shot !

Heights mom, 29, slain with gun in her bedroom
Homicide probe after boyfriend reports shooting

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
By CHARLES HACK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A 29-year-old Heights mother of three died Sunday night from a single gunshot to the chest in her bedroom and police are investigating who pulled the trigger, authorities said yesterday.

Soveira Rojas was found by Jersey City cops in a second-floor bedroom of a Webster Avenue home near Congress Street after she and her family returned from a party, said Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.

Jersey City police responded after her boyfriend, Leonardo Buccheri, 40, who lived with Rojas, called 911 and reported that Rojas had shot herself, officials said.

The Hudson County Homicide squad is now investigating the incident, after being notified shortly before 8 p.m., DeFazio said.

A "defaced" .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol belonging to Buccheri was found at the scene, he said.

According to the investigation so far, the woman and her boyfriend were the only two people in the room at the time of shooting, but several people are being questioned, DeFazio said.

Rojas' three children - the oldest is 8 years old - were home at the time, but investigators have not established if they witnessed the shooting, he said. The children were taken into custody by the state Division of Youth and Family Services, he said.

No one has been charged in the shooting, DeFazio said.

Buccheri could not be reached for comment.

The couple had just returned from a barbecue at Palisades Interstate Park in Bergen County.

"Apparently there was drinking," DeFazio said. "We don't know if it was involved in the incident."

A woman who lives across the street, who gave her name as only Veronica, said Rojas "was a quiet, young, attractive woman."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office's Homicide Unit at (201) 915-1345.

i highly doubt it was an accidental gun discharge. lets not blame the gun any time someone is murdered or kills themselves. wait until we get more details.

Another sad gun story but your title might be misleading -- from the article I think it might be another domestic murder, a suicide (even though it was in the chest) or perhaps even yet another gun accident...

I think Webster only runs through the Heights...

Woman found shot dead in her home, police say
by Charles Hack
Monday August 11, 2008, 1:07 PM

A 29-year-old mother of three was found dead in her bedroom with a gunshot wound to her chest yesterday evening, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

Soveira Rojas was found by Jersey City police in a second-floor bedroom of her Webster Avenue home immediately after her 40-year-old live-in boyfriend called 911, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said this morning.

The Hudson County Homcide squad is investigating the incident and was notified shortly before 8 p.m., DeFazio said. A semi-automatic pistol was found at the scene, he said.

"At this point we have not ascertained the manner of death pending the atuposy and further police investigation," DeFazio said.

According to the investigation so far, the woman and her boyfriend were the only two in the room at the time of shooting but several people are being questioned in connection with the shooting, DeFazio said.

Although the three children were in the home, investigators have not established if they witnessed the incident, he said. The children were taken into custody by the state Division of Youth and Family Services, he said.

No charges have been filed, he said.