Murder Case Delayed by Mental Health Report in Dumont Stabbing

DUMONT, N.J. — The murder case against Jeffrey Daniels, charged with fatally stabbing his girlfriend in 2020, continues to face delays due to a crucial mental health report. The court is currently awaiting the assessment of Daniels’ mental state at the time of his police questioning.

Daniels, 36, was arrested in June 2020 for the stabbing death of 36-year-old Amanda Burns in her home after a heated argument. In a probable cause affidavit, Daniels admitted to the police that he attacked Burns and attempted to ‘snap her neck’ before choking her unconscious. He reportedly then fetched a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her multiple times.

During a court hearing on April 21, Judge James Sattely addressed the delays associated with the mental health report. Daniels’ attorney, Ilene McFarland, noted that personal issues affecting the psychiatrist working on the report had led to the lag, but emphasized the importance of the assessment for Daniels’ defense.

Assistant Prosecutor Yomara Castro expressed frustration over the protracted timeline, indicating that the repeated delays were unsatisfactory. ‘We’ve gotten these dates and basically she’s blown through them,’ Castro stated regarding the psychiatry expert’s timeline.

Despite considering the option of obtaining a new expert, McFarland cautioned this could create further delays. She maintained that the state’s position could not be adequately addressed without clarity on Daniels’ mental health during his police interactions.

Judge Sattely is scheduled to hold a meeting with both the prosecution and the defense on April 28 to discuss the anticipated timeline for receiving the mental health report.