Ernest Heinz, an actor known for a minor role in the acclaimed series The Sopranos, has been formally indicted on 31 criminal charges following a violent alleged road rage incident in New Jersey that left a woman severely injured.
The Alleged Incident and Serious Charges
The incident occurred shortly after noon on September 11 this year on South Pomona Road near Stockton University. According to court documents, Heinz and the victim, Maritza Arias-Galva, a mother-of-three, encountered each other while merging into a single lane.
An affidavit states that after Heinz passed Arias-Galva's vehicle, both cars stopped at a red light near Vera King Farris Drive. Authorities allege that Heinz then began shouting from his car before firing a single gunshot into her vehicle.
Severe Consequences for the Victim
Police arriving around 12:30pm found Arias-Galva suffering from a gunshot wound to her face. She was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe injuries that have since resulted in the permanent loss of vision in her right eye.
Her son, Victor Feliz-Arias, spoke to NBC Philadelphia about the family's ordeal, stating: "Right now she's blind on her right eye. We're really thankful she's still alive with God, because we know God will save her."
Legal Proceedings and Defence Argument
The 47-year-old actor, who also works as a real estate and mortgage broker, was indicted by a grand jury on multiple serious charges. These include:
- First-degree attempted murder
- Aggravated assault with a firearm
- Weapons possession
- Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
A judge has ordered Heinz to be held without bail at the Atlantic County Justice Facility while awaiting trial. His attorney, Robin Kay Lord, contested the attempted murder charge in court. She argued the case might instead constitute passion-provocation manslaughter and unsuccessfully sought his release to house arrest.
Heinz's limited acting credits include appearances in films such as J. Edgar and The Prestige, alongside his role in The Sopranos.
