More than 30 people sent letters to the judge in advance of his sentencing of Michelle Lodzinski, some seeking justice for Timothy Wiltsey and others asking for leniency. Watch video
NEW BRUNSWICK--There were no friends or family to speak for Michelle Lodzinski as she appeared for sentencing Thursday in the murder of her 5-year-old son so many years ago.
No one was there either to say anything on behalf of the young victim, Timothy Wiltsey, whose disappearance and death became one of the state's most notorious cold unsolved cases.
But more than 30 people sent letters to Superior Court Judge Dennis Nieves to add their voices before he imposed a 30-year prison sentence on the 49-year-old former South Amboy woman, with no eligibility of parole.
Timothy Wiltsey, in a photo released by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office.The court declined to release the letters in advance of the sentencing and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office would also not make them available. However, portions of several were read aloud by prosecutors seeking the harshest of terms, and by Lodzinski's attorney, who asked for the limited leniency allowed under the statute for first degree murder.
Gerald Krovatin, who represents Lodzinski, said there were letters not only from family and friends, but from inmates at the county jail where she has remained incarcerated since her arrest in 2014.
"All of them to a person describe Miss Lodzinski as one of the kindest, gentlest persons they knew," he said. "One called her a den mother, 'more like a social worker than the social workers who work here,'" he read.
There were friends from Port St. Lucie, Fla., where she has lived since moving from New Jersey, talking about her two teenage sons born after the death of Timothy.
An attorney, Alton Hale of West Palm Beach, where she worked as a paralegal, called Lodzinski "an honest responsible and diligent person," said Krovatin. Hale also told the judge her qualities are not consistent for the crimes she was convicted.
A family friend told the judge that she had watched her raise her two boys by herself as both a mother and father. Her parents sent letters as well.
There were letters, too, asking for justice for Timothy.
Middlesex County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Christie Bevacqua said there a victim impact statement sent by Michelle's brother, Michael Lodzinski.
"I'm sure you read it," she told the judge.
"Every word," Nieves replied.
The letter was not read out loud in court, but Michael Lodzinski, who once supported his older sister and maintained her innocence, later broke with her and has spoken out against her.
Bevacqua did read portions of a letter from the boy's father, George Wiltsey, who had a relationship with Lodzinski, although the two never married and he had no role in his son's life.
In his letter, Wiltsey, who lives in Iowa, told the judge that his son could have had a small town upbringing.
"I had an army to help raise him," he said. "I believe Timmy could have had such a wonderful life with my family."
The judge cited the father's letter as he spoke to Lodzinski before imposing sentence.
"I thought about that letter from the kid's father. I remember what they said about the kid's father. He wasn't that good of a father."
Tara Packard, a childhood friend of Timothy Wiltsey, who had a secret code they used to communicate with each other. (Russ DeSantis | Star-Ledger file photo)During the trial, it was brought out that George Wiltsey when he was with Lodzinski had substance abuse issues and had been abusive.
"But I also think of the fact that this little kid could have had those family reunions, like I did," said the judge. "This little kid missed out on that."
He also referred to a letter received from Tara Packard, who was Wiltsey's next door playmate and a kindergarten classmate.
"Did you read that letter?" the judge asked Lodzinski.
She shook her head as she stood silently in the courtroom.
"She indicated she had a secret code with Timmy," Nieves said, recounting from the letter a childhood game of knocking on walls and listening for the knock back.
After Timmy disappeared, Packard in her letter told the judge that she took a toy from her toy box and knocked on her friend's wall in hopes of an answer.
There was never a knock back.
Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.