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Former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo is facing backlash for asking a judge to release her former brother-in-law Thomas ‘Tommy’ Manzo.
Thomas was indicted earlier this month as an alleged accomplice in a grisly home invasion in 2017, where Caroline’s sister Dina – who was married to Thomas until 2013 – was left beaten and tied up.
Dina, 49, and her current entrepreneur husband David Cantin, 41, were both allegedly attacked with bare fists and baseball bats during the altercation, as they walked into their New Jersey home.
Former RHONJ star Caroline Manzo is facing backlash for asking a judge to release her former brother-in-law Thomas ‘Tommy’ Manzo – who is accused of being an accomplice in an attack on her sister Dina (seen here in 2010) in a 2017 home invasion
And now fans of RHONJ have expressed their shock at Caroline’s support of Thomas who she described as ‘kind-hearted and caring’ in a letter read at a pre-trial detention hearing on Friday.
Thomas was released from jail during the hearing as he awaits trial in the home invasion case.
He is facing a handful of charges including robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, theft, a weapons offense, criminal restraint and stalking, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Caroline has been married to Albert Manzo, Thomas’ brother, for 36 years.
After hearing about the news of Caroline’s support for Thomas, Dina’s friend and assistant Luke McKibben shared a post slamming the star.
‘Can’t stay silent’: After hearing about the news of Caroline’s support for Thomas, Dina’s friend and assistant Luke McKibben shared a post slamming the star
‘Sister sell out’: fans of RHONJ have expressed their shock at Caroline’s support of Thomas who she described as ‘kind-hearted and caring’ in a letter read at a pre-trial detention hearing on Friday
‘For years I have sat by and watched Dina take the high road over and over. Staying silent for many reasons but mainly out of respect for family. There’s a million things I could have said throughout the years and spoken up to defend her. She would forbid me to say a word.
‘But I can’t stay silent while others continue to talk to help keep their relevance. You will reap what you sow. And I find this extremely fitting after all they are your most famous words #letmetellyousomethingaboutmyfamily ‘
With his post Luke shared a side-by-side of Caroline and Thomas with the words ‘Thick as Thieves’.
Dina commented underneath, writing: ‘Normally Lukey I would ask you to take this down but ya know what? I’m starting to think some just expect us to stay quiet while they continue to hurt others…that’s what gives them that “power”.
Thomas (pictured) is facing a handful of charges including robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, theft, a weapons offense, criminal restraint and stalking, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. He is seen here with Dina when they were married. They split in 2013
‘I’ll say it again…it’s not ok to take kindness for weakness. Plus if I don’t laugh at this point I’ll just continue to cry. I love you.’
In response, fans hit out at Caroline, taking to her Instagram to slam her in the comments under one of her recent posts.
Thomas was not previously charged in the 2017 attack, but was recently named as an accomplice to James Mainello, 53, of Bayonne (pictured) who was previously indicted in the case in 2019
‘You really stooped to the lowest of lows,’ one person wrote, while another asked, ‘How could you do that to dina???’
‘Blood is thicker than water… or so you said. Sad you aren’t supporting your sister after that that animal did to her.’ another chimed in.
A grand jury in Monmouth County indicted Thomas, 56, last week.
Thomas was not previously charged in the 2017 attack, but has now been named as an accomplice to James Mainello, 53, of Bayonne, who was previously indicted in the case in 2019.
The suspects are said to have punched Dina in the face, while her husband David was struck with a bat.
Per the report, Dina and David were then allegedly tied up with zip ties, as the suspects robbed them of her engagement ring as well as cash.
Tommy was married Dina in 2007 but the two separated in 2013 and were officially divorced in 2016. During their marriage, he was the stepfather to her daughter from her first marriage, Lexi Ioannou.
The couple’s attorney Andrew Brettler told TMZ in a statement: ‘This was an awful ordeal for Dina and David and hopefully it is the final step in bringing them closure of this matter.’
Ordeal: Dina, 49, and her current entrepreneur husband David Cantin, 41, were both allegedly attacked with bare fists and baseball bats during the altercation (the pair pictured in 2019)
Enough: Dina’s lawyer said in statement, ‘This was an awful ordeal for Dina and David and hopefully it is the final step in bringing them closure of this matter’
In July last year, Tommy also plead not guilty to hiring a Lucchese mobster soldier to attack Dina’s husband David, in a separate incident that took place in 2015.
John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, plead guilty to the federal charge of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.
Prosecutors alleged Perna was hired by the reality star’s ex-husband, Thomas, to assault her then-boyfriend and now husband, Dave Cantin six years ago.
Perna and a mobster associate attacked Cantin with a slapjack, a club weapon, in the parking lot of a New Jersey strip mall in July 2015, according to prosecutors.
The incident left Cantin, who married Dina in 2017, with a permanent facial scar.
A month after the attack, Perna held a wedding reception for 330 guests at Thomas Manzo’s Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson, New Jersey, for ‘a fraction of the price,’ authorities said.
Dina (seen here in 2010) starred in seasons one, two, and six of Real Housewives of New Jersey and also appeared as a guest in season four
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