Timma Kalidindi, who is alleged to have attacked his estranged wife, Janaki Dantuluru, in her Bridgewater home on Nov. 14, 2013, is set to go on trial for first-degree murder.
SOMERVILLE -- Jury selection began Tuesday in Somerset County Superior Court in the trial of a Bridgewater man who has been charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation of his estranged wife in 2013, which ultimately causing her death.
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Timma Kalidindi (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office) Timma Kalidindi, 50, is alleged to have attacked 43-year-old Janaki Dantuluru in her Bridgewater home on Nov. 14, 2013, during an argument over their marital issues. Dantuluru died less than two days later as a result of her injuries.
Kalidindi rejected a plea deal with a recommended sentence of 30 years. He has also been charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Somerville-based defense attorney James Wronko will represent Kalidindi. Assistant prosecutor Merrill Mezzacappa will represent the state.
Kalidindi remains in the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
According to an affidavit, Kalidindi was in the Francis Drive home of his estranged wife when the couple's 16-year-old daughter arrived home around 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2013. Kalidindi allegedly told the teenager he was angry with Dantuluru about their marital issues and that "only one person was going to survive tonight," it was stated in the affidavit.
Vigil held for Bridgewater woman
When Dantuluru arrived home at approximately 7:30 p.m., Kalidindi allegedly left his daughter and went downstairs to confront her. He allegedly took his daughter's cell phone to stop her from calling police, but he left his own phone upstairs, which his daughter used to call 9-1-1 when she heard her mother screaming, according to the affidavit.
When police arrived, Kalidindi reportedly opened the door, dropped to his knees and surrendered. Dantuluru was found unresponsive on the garage floor, without a pulse and not breathing, police reported. A rope was wrapped around her neck, according to the affidavit.
Police officers were able to resuscitate her, but Dantuluru died from her injuries on Nov. 16 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, it was reported in the affidavit.
Kalidindi later told authorities he "wanted to only talk to his wife," but could not "because of her screaming," according to the affidavit.
He allegedly told authorities that during a struggle in the laundry room he pushed Dantuluru to the ground and began choking her. "Kalidindi said he squeezed her neck in order for her to stop screaming," according to the affidavit.
Kalidindi allegedly said he dragged Dantuluru into an adjacent garage area while police were banging on the front door, then opened the front door and surrendered, it was stated in the affidavit.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
