N.J. Inmate Brutally Killed One Day Before Release; Killer Gets Life Sentence
A fellow prisoner cruelly murdered a New Jersey convict who was one day from returning home at Bayside State Prison in Maurice River Township. The attacker was sentenced to life in prison and raised questions about state prison safety.
Martin Sanchez is killed hours before his prison release
Martin Sanchez, 41, was scheduled to leave Bayside State Prison on November 22, 2022, after a five-year theft sentence. He looked forward to starting afresh in Elizabeth, New Jersey, with his family. Unfortunately, he never arrived.
Sanchez was found lifeless in his prison cell with extensive face injuries on November 21, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. Death was declared at the scene. Sanchez died from blunt force head trauma and neck compression, according to the autopsy.
Convicted Killer Bruce Duette Sentenced to Life in Prison
On Monday, Superior Court Judge Cristen P. D’Arrigo sentenced Bruce E. Duette, 45, of Trenton, to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Sanchez. Duette, a known member of the Gangster Killer Bloods and also known by the nickname “Black Jack,” showed no remorse for his actions.
He must serve at least 85% of his life sentence before being eligible for parole and will begin serving this sentence after completing his current prison terms in March 2030.
Timeline of Bruce Duette’s Criminal History
Below is a detailed look at Bruce Duette’s criminal background leading up to the Sanchez murder:
| Year | Crime | Sentence |
| 2005 | First-degree aggravated manslaughter in the shooting death of Edwin “Dino” Adino | 15 years |
| 2005 | Conspiracy to murder rival Trenton gang members | 20 years (served concurrently) |
| 2020 | Stabbed another inmate in the neck at Bayside State Prison | 5 years |
| 2022 | Murdered Martin Sanchez one day before his release | Life in prison |
What Happened Inside the Cell: Details from the Investigation
Witnesses told authorities that Duette entered Sanchez’s cell and assaulted him. One inmate reportedly saw Duette exit the cell with blood on his body. Surveillance footage showed the two inmates exchanging words earlier, although no video captured the fatal beating.
After the attack, Duette’s cellmate was seen disposing of bloody clothing, sneakers, and socks. Tests confirmed that the items contained Sanchez’s blood and Duette’s DNA. In addition, Duette’s DNA was discovered under the victim’s fingernails, further linking him to the murder.
Assistant Prosecutor Cathryn Wilson described Duette’s post-murder behavior as “nonchalant”, highlighting how he walked through the prison with a broken hand from the attack, showing no emotion after taking a life.
A Daughter’s Heartbreak: “He Deserved a Second Chance”
During sentencing, Dajane Sanchez, the victim’s daughter, gave a tearful statement. She described her father as a loving, happy man who was finally getting a second chance at life.
“He worked so hard for it, for it to just be taken from him,” she said. “A piece of my heart is gone. I will never get my dad back.”
She pleaded with the court to remember her father as more than a prisoner, saying he was “full of love and light”, not defined by his past mistakes.
Duette’s Reign of Violence Behind Bars
This is not the first time Duette has engaged in prison violence. After stabbing another inmate in the neck in 2020, he pled guilty to second-degree aggravated assault and received five more years. Based on his manslaughter and conspiracy to murder convictions, Duette is known for excessive violence inside and outside jail.
Martin Sanchez Got Justice, But Too Late
Justice comes too late for Martin Sanchez, who was hours from freedom, while Duette will spend his life in prison. His death underlines the issue of inmate safety, especially for those nearing parole and seeking forgiveness.
