Legal Negotiations Underway as Dina Manzo's Ex-Husband Seeks Plea Deal for Physical Assault Against Her and Husband

Article Summary

Thomas Manzo is seeking a plea deal after hiring someone to break into his ex-wife Dina's home and harm her new boyfriend.

The case has been ongoing for years, but this is the first time a plea deal is being considered.

The plea deal is delaying the trial and causing Dina to repeatedly relive the traumatic events.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey has always revolved around the drama and conflicts within the show's families. One of the ongoing feuds involves sisters Caroline Manzo and Dina Manzo. Despite being close in the past, their relationship deteriorated due to alleged jealousy and family disputes. Recently, Dina's ex-husband, Thomas Manzo, has made headlines. Thomas, whose brother is married to Caroline, is currently facing legal trouble as he is accused of hiring someone to break into Dina's home and violently attack her and her new husband, David Cantin.

During the home invasion, Dina's $60,000 ring was stolen, and Thomas was arrested in 2021 in connection with the crime. Another individual involved, John Perna, has also been apprehended. Perna claims that he was merely offered some discounts at the Brownstone, a banquet hall owned by Albert and Thomas. It appears that Thomas is likely to pursue a plea deal. According to Reality Tea, a document in the case mentions that plea negotiations are expected, and both the defendant and the United States desire additional time to work out an agreement. This could potentially eliminate the need for grand jury proceedings and a subsequent trial.

This marks Thomas' first plea request. He hired a new attorney as well, his sixth in the case to date, and is now walking around as a free man because of a $100k bond.

The Strange Break-In and Brutal Beating of Dina Manzo

Allegedly, when Thomas hired Perna, he requested that Cantin be given a "permanent facial scar." This action caused further estrangement within the Manzo family, as Caroline wrote a letter supporting Thomas to the judge in the case. On the night of the crime in 2017, officers discovered Dina and Cantin, who had managed to free themselves from zip-ties after being attacked with a baseball bat. According to NBC News, Cantin informed investigators that he and Dina had just arrived home when one of the suspects charged at him with a baseball bat and assaulted him. Dina revealed to investigators that one of the suspects had pushed her against a wall, covered her mouth, threw her to the floor, and kicked her before forcibly removing her engagement ring from her finger. Cantin bravely attempted to shield Dina's body from further harm as they both lay on the floor.