2004 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

April 16, 2004

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Acting Camden Police Chief Edwin J. Figueroa reported today that Michael Joseph Ficara, M/20, of Deptford, N.J., has been charged with Murder in the beating of Terron Bayard, M/21, on Feb. 17, 2004, in the Fairview section of Camden. Bayard died Feb. 20 at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

A warrant signed on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, alleges that on Feb. 17, Ficara, of the 100 block of Hannold Boulevard in Deptford, and at least one other individual lured the victim to a home in the 3000 block of Essex Road in Camden for the purpose of robbing and killing him. When Bayard arrived at the home, a co-participant hit the victim in the head multiple times with a baseball bat, the warrant alleges. Ficara then allegedly took cash and drugs from Bayard's pockets. The defendant and a co-participant then allegedly placed the victim outside the home. Investigation indicates the victim and his assailants were acquaintances.

Just before midnight on Feb. 17, a resident in the 1000 block of South Common Avenue saw the victim stumble on the street, lean on a car and then collapse to the ground. She went outside, found the victim covered in blood, and helped him to her porch. Because she did not have a phone, she asked her neighbor to call 911. Bayard was taken to Cooper and later died as a result of blunt trauma to the head.

Ficara is being held at the Baltimore County Jail in Maryland, where he was arrested last month and charged with auto theft. He is awaiting extradition to Camden County. The investigation continues and additional arrests are anticipated.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.