Five people accused of killing a detective say they can't get a fair trial in this New Jersey county

Attorneys for all five defendants charged in connection with the home invasion shooting of a Cumberland County District Attorney's Office detective have joined forces to seek a trial in the case in another county.

The defendants also want the case to be handled by a different prosecutor, citing a conflict of interest.

Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley was shot and killed Oct. 15 at her home in Bridgeton, Cumberland County. Four people are accused of murder in the case, and a fifth is accused of covering up evidence.

Attorneys for some defendants argue they can't get a fair trial in Cumberland County because Mosley has had close ties to local law enforcement throughout her career. The slain detective also worked closely with judges and court staff in Cumberland County, lawyers say.

A Superior Court judge assigned to the Cumberland County bench spoke at Mosley's funeral, the defendant's attorneys said. This judge recused herself from all hearings in the Mosley case.

Mosley, 51, worked in the district attorney's office for 18 years and became a detective in 2009. At the time of her death, she was a supervisor in the internal affairs department of the public prosecutor's office.

Cape May County First Assistant Prosecutor Saverio Carroccia, who is handling all cases related to Mosley's death, also has a conflict because he previously worked in the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office at the same time as Mosley, the defendant's attorneys said.

The Cape May office is prosecuting the case because Mosley was employed by the Cumberland District Attorney's Office.

Four men — Nyshawn B. Mutcherson, 29, of Vineland; Jarred D. Brown, 31, of Bridgeton; Richard B. Hawkins Willis, 32, of Gloucester City; and Byron L. Thomas, 35, of Paulsboro — are each charged with first-degree murder and murder during a burglary. They are also charged with second-degree burglary, multiple weapons offenses and obstruction and obstruction in connection with Mosley's death.

Cyndia E. Pimentel, 38, of Paulsboro, is accused of helping cover up evidence in the murder. She is also charged with third-degree obstruction of an investigation and fourth-degree obstruction and tampering with evidence.

Attorneys for Brown, Hawkins Willis and Thomas filed for a change of venue in their cases last week.

During a video case conference Tuesday morning, Carroccia and attorneys for all defendants joined Vicinage 15 Assignment Judge Benjamin Telsey to discuss the schedule for the change of venue hearing.

All defense attorneys signaled their acceptance of the offer to change the venue and of challenging Carroccia's continued role as prosecutor in the case.

While a hearing on the motion was originally scheduled for Thursday, it will now be heard on Nov. 22 to give Carroccia time to file a challenge to the motion and for defense attorneys to file any responses to his brief, the judge said.

Telsey said the first issue to be resolved at the hearing will be whether venue should be moved out of Cumberland County.

If the judge concludes the case should be moved, it will be up to a judge in the new district to decide whether there is a conflict in Carroccia, Telsey said.

However, if the judge rules that the case can remain in Cumberland, Telsey will decide whether Carroccia can remain in the case.

Defense attorneys asked that the case be moved to Atlantic County, saying the county has similar racial demographics to Cumberland County. The state Supreme Court has said that changing the venue must be in counties that have a similar racial population structure to the county where an alleged crime was committed.

Authorities allege that people forced their way into Mosley's Bridgeton home on Buckshutem Road and shot her three times, and that Mosley shot Mutcherson in the chest before she died of her injuries.

Authorities have not confirmed whether Mosley knew her attackers or whether the crime was a random home invasion. A suspected motive for the killing has not been disclosed.

According to prosecutors, cell phone data, automatic license plate readers, surveillance videos and witnesses helped investigators piece together the events of the night of the murder.

A judge ordered Pimentel's temporary release from jail during her hearing last week.

Detention hearings for the four murder defendants to determine whether they will remain behind bars pending trial are suspended pending the outcome of the trial.