Daniel J. Kov

@danieljkov

BRIDGETON - A gardener accused of killing his 85-year-old customer in 2014 was sentenced Friday to 30 years in state prison, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.

Michael Keith Duberson, 41, of Millville, previously pleaded guilty in October to a charge of aggravated manslaughter against Commercial Township resident Eugene A. Tabinowski Sr.

The charge stems from a March 21 incident in which Duberson was said to have stabbed Tabinowski multiple times in his head, face and neck at the senior citizen’s Spring Road home.

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Duberson then stole Tabinowski’s vehicle and fled, police said at the time.

Responding to the scene that night and finding a still-concious Tabinowski, state troopers were able to track Duberson down and arrest him.

Duberson had served as Tabinowski’s gardener for four years, he told police.

Tabinowski succumbed to his injuries the following day in the hospital.

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New Jersey State Police oversaw the investigation. Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Cristen D’Arrigo handed down the sentence.

As part of his sentence, Duberson must serve 85 percent of his time in prison before being eligible for parole, Webb-McRae said.

Daniel J. Kov; (856) 563-5262; dkov@gannettnj.com