The man charged with murder in the gruesome death of his two-year-old daughter made his initial appearance in a New Jersey court Monday afternoon.

Arthur Morgan III stood before Superior Court Judge Thomas Scully in Monmouth County. He was also charged with custody violation and interstate flight to avoid apprehension.

Bail was set at $10 million for Morgan, upon the request by First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Richard Incremona.

Incremona made the request based on many factors, including the seriousness of the alleged crime and the chances of Morgan failing to appear.

“The defendant threw his daughter from a bridge…He walked away from that without as much as a care,” Incremona said.

Morgan’s daughter Tierra was found late last month in a Wall Township creek, still strapped in a car seat.

The incident created a countrywide search for Morgan, involving local, state and federal agencies. He was arrested last week in San Diego.

Tierra's family watches Arthur Morgan III make his first NJ court appearance
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Early on in the hearing, Incremona revealed details of the case that shocked family members in attendance.

“To assure that (Tierra) would not survive, (Morgan) took a spare car jack for a flat tire and attached it to the back of the car seat, to weigh as an anchor on her entering the water,” he explained.

Larry Glover, the defendant’s uncle, watched as Morgan listened to the court proceedings.

“I saw sadness,” Glover said. “I think he’s in shock. I don’t think it really hit him yet, what he really did.”

Glover said he wants to talk to his nephew and ask the question that everyone wants answered – why?

Morgan’s public defender, Allison Tucker, would not comment following the hearing.


Courtesy Asbury Park Press

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