Life Sentence Imposed in Retrial
A Bergen County judge has sentenced 49-year-old Daniel Rochat to life in prison for the second time after his conviction in a retrial for the 2012 murder of Barbara Vernieri. The sentencing took place on Friday, marking the conclusion of a prolonged legal battle stemming from the tragic death of the 70-year-old woman.
Details of the Crime
Barbara Vernieri, a real estate agent from East Rutherford, New Jersey, was found beaten and set on fire in her home in September 2012. Authorities reported that she was still alive when her body was set ablaze. Rochat, who was initially convicted of the crime, faced a retrial after his first conviction was overturned in 2022 due to unreliable DNA evidence.
Retrial and Conviction
In April of this year, Rochat was retried and found guilty of several charges, including murder, arson, felony murder, desecration, hindering, and false swearing. The retrial verdict reaffirmed the previous conviction, leading to his life sentence.
Sentencing Details
Judge Christopher Kazlau sentenced Rochat to life in prison, which, under state law, translates to 75 years with a requirement to serve at least 85% of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, Rochat received 10-year sentences for arson and desecration, along with lesser terms for the other charges.
Kazlau described the murder as “brutal and senseless,” highlighting Rochat’s lack of remorse and his striking demeanor during police interviews.
Family and Prosecutors’ Perspectives
Rochat’s mother, Janet, testified that her son had a “warm and loving relationship” with Vernieri, asserting that law enforcement misinterpreted his visit to her home days before the murder. Prosecutors, however, suggested that Rochat intended to rob Vernieri to repay $11,000 he owed to an ex-girlfriend who had recently ended their relationship.
