NJ Teen Seeks Insanity Defense In Double Murder Of 2 High School Girls

Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood, pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Cranford High School students Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, who were struck and killed while riding electric bicycles on September 29, 2025. His defense attorney is pursuing an insanity defense and diminished capacity, and has requested a change of venue out of Union County ahead of a December 14 status conference.