Murder Defendant to Appear in Court Today

A Newark man charged with stabbing his girlfriend to death is scheduled to be in court at 9 a.m. today at the Fremont Hall of Justice.

Jason Otis Monroe, 32, is facing one charge of murder after his April 27 arrest in of Newark.

The stabbing occurred on the 36600 block of Cherry Street inside a home where neighbors and relatives said the couple lived with their two sons, ages 3 and 5, and Monroe’s mother. 

Friday’s hearing comes more than a month after Monroe , Deputy Public Defender Marvin Lew. 

Monroe accepted representation by the Public Defender's office on May 6 after .

On Friday, a hearing is also planned on charges that stem from a previous incident involving Monroe.

Monroe had been arrested and convicted Feb. 28 on charges of misdemeanor battery, assault and corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant.

Contillo was the victim in that case, which was reported on Feb. 28, according to the district attorney’s office. The office initially did not release the identity of the battery victim.

At the time of the April 27 stabbing, .

According to Contillo’s parents,  Contillo, who is originally from Oakland, and Monroe had been living in Newark together for at least five years. Although Contillo and Monroe were not married, they had been in a relationship for several years, relatives said.

Monroe is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.