Judge Nixes Montclair Man's Request to Drop Charges in Drug Shooting Case

An Essex County Superior Court judge on Tuesday denied a Montclair man's request to have charges against him dropped in connection with the July 2012 drug-related shooting death of a college student, the Montclair Times reported.

James Pitts, who was a Montclair High School gridiron star and is a former Villanova University student, has entered a not guilty plea to charges of robbery and conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and is free on $100,000 cash bail, according to the article. His father is Essex County Undersheriff James Pitts.

Another Montclair man faces more serious charges in the case: Ernest Williams Jr. has pleased not guilty to felony murder, murder, robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses. He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility on $750,000 bail.

The case revolves around the July 22, 2012, death of Brian Schiavetti, a 21-year-old Villanova University student from Ridgefield, Conn., who was targeted and shot multiple times in what law enforcement officials say was a botched drug deal in a William Street apartment building. The article said the case will continue with a  status conference scheduled for  Sept. 10.