Washington Township Woman, Niece Held on Murder Charge

Valerie Niessner, 47, of Sewell section of Washington Township, is being held on a $1 million bond in Gloucester County jail on a murder charge for the March killing of a Franklinville man.

A Superior Court judge ruled last week there was sufficient evidence to hold  her and three other co-defendents for trial.

Police say Niessner was part of a botched robbery attempt with three others, including her 19-year-old niece, Amanda Rickerdthat, that left 54-year-old Joseph McConnell dead in his home on March 31.

McConnell was found face-down in a bathroom of the house with his hands tied behind him with zip ties, investigators said.

Also charged in the case is Jon Nordberg, 41, of Vineland, and David Buss, 34, of Glassboro. Niessner was Nordberg's girlfriend, police said.