West Morris Central A.D. hopes to have charges downgraded

Suspended West Morris Central High School Athletic Director Kent W. Schilling is in counseling with his wife and is hoping to have charges that he threatened and struck his spouse downgraded to Municipal Court, his defense lawyer said Tuesday.

Long Valley resident Kent W. Schilling, 46, appeared with defense attorney Travis Tormey in Superior Court, Morristown, for his first courtroom appearance since he was charged Aug. 3 by Washington Township police with terroristic threats and simple assault against his wife.

Schilling was suspended with pay from West Morris Central right after his arrest. He has worked in the district for 11 years and previously worked as a Dover High School football coach.

Appearing before Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz, Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Jenna Gouck said she is discussing with her superiors the possibility of the terroristic threat charge being downgraded and remanded to Washington Township Municipal Court.

The judge set a new Superior Court date hearing of Sept. 22, at which time the state is expected to have decided on whether a remand will occur.

Tormey, after the hearing, said that Schilling and his wife are in counseling together and the spouse does not want her husband prosecuted. Schilling said he is suspended with pay but hopes to return to work soon.

“She wants the charges dropped,” Tormey said of the alleged victim.

“There was an incident, an argument,” Tormey said of the late-evening events of Aug. 3.

Criminal complaints filed in Superior Court against Schilling allege that he made threats to kill his wife while brandishing a knife, simple assault by wrestling and restraining his wife, and tearing her clothes. Schilling posted $10,000 bail after his arrest.

Terroristic threats are punishable upon conviction by up to five years in prison and simple assault is a disorderly persons offense. If the terroristic threat charge is remanded to Municipal Court, it would be amended to a disorderly persons offense, possibly harassment.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.