Man pleads guilty to running down 2 politicians
Hudson County Superior Court Judge Shelia Venabla speaks as John Appello, left, attorney for Michael Hansen, looks on during a hearing charging Hansen with hit and run charges, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Jersey City, N.J. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (AP) - A former corrections officer accused of killing a prospective state legislative candidate and the Jersey City Republican Party chairman in a hit-and-run accident two years ago has pleaded guilty to death by auto charges.
Hudson County prosecutors will recommend Michael Hansen get a 20-year state prison term when he's sentenced Aug. 2.
The plea deal calls for him to get 10-year sentences for each death, with the terms served consecutively.
The charges Hansen pleaded guilty to on Friday stem from an April 2017 crash in North Bergen.
Prosecutors have said the North Bergen man struck and killed Marie Tauro and Russell Maffei.
Tauro had planned to seek the GOP nomination for an Assembly seat.
Authorities say Hansen fled the scene but captured several hours later at his home.
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