ABC News.
This undated photo shows 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale of Clayton, N.J.
Some of the residents of Clayton suspected their two teenage neighbors
were troublemakers, but there was nothing to indicate they were capable
of violence.
Now, the brothers, ages 15 and 17, are accused of murdering a
12-year-old girl from the neighborhood and stuffing her body into a
recycling bin, a crime that has shaken this south Jersey community where
"everybody knows everybody."
Authorities say Autumn Pasquale, a well-known and well-liked
seventh-grader, was lured with the promise of new parts for the beloved
bicycle she was riding before she disappeared Saturday afternoon. Her
body was found Monday night in the recycling bin behind a vacant house
next to the boys' home.
Sixteen-year-old Na'eem Williams, who described himself as a close
friend of the 15-year-old, said that he knew the brothers to take
bicycles but that it was a leap to think them capable of killing
someone.
"I know they didn't do nothing like that," he said. "I know they couldn't, especially not with a young girl."
Another neighbor, Toni Fiorella, saw a different side of the boys. She'd
see their mother drop them off at the laundromat to do the family's
wash. She didn't know them by name, but they were always respectful.
Their mother must be on to something, Fiorella thought.
"It's good," she said. "She's making them responsible."
The boys were charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in Autumn's
death. Authorities have not discussed a motive and have not released the
names of the brothers because they are charged as juveniles. The
Associated Press is withholding the names for the same reason.
Deputy Public Defender Jeffrey Wintner said his office was representing
both defendants, though a private attorney had been assigned to handle
one of the cases. He said the office would have no comment.
Autumn's mother, Jennifer Cornwell, told reporters Tuesday that she felt
as though her daughter had been treated "like a piece of trash" because
of where her body was recovered.
The girl's father, Anthony Pasquale, a postal worker in Clayton, said he is familiar with the family of the suspects.
"Everybody knows everybody," in the town of 8,000, he said, "whether they're friends or acquaintances."
The boys, who have other brothers who are not charged in the case, were
themselves seen at a vigil held Monday night for Autumn. The younger boy
apparently exchanged messages with Autumn's teenage brother on Facebook
on Sunday.
The brother, A.J. Pasquale, wrote on his page that police, search dogs
and the media were involved in the search. "thts good," was the reply
from an account that appeared to belong to the 15-year-old suspect.
People who know the boys say the younger suspect is a sophomore at
Clayton High School and has been on the wrestling team. The older boy,
they say, attends Bankbridge Developmental Center in Sewell, a school
for students with social, behavioral and academic problems. He was seen
outside the family's home less often, neighbors say.
Beverly Davis said she went to school with Autumn's father and the suspects' mother.
"We are not surprised by who the suspects were," Davis said. "We're not
surprised at all. They're not always on the right side of the law."
Davis said one boy stole one of her children's bikes. And the boys'
father told the Star-Ledger newspaper of Newark that their sons were
known for stealing bikes, and that one son had previously been charged
with theft.
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