Joseph Harris

Mass Murderer

Joseph M. Harris and the 1991 New Jersey Postal Murders

Background

Joseph Maurice Harris was a 35-year-old former United States Postal Service employee who carried out a revenge-driven series of murders in northern New Jersey during the night of October 9 and the early morning of October 10, 1991. The attacks occurred at a private residence in Wayne and at the Ridgewood Post Office, where Harris had previously worked. Four people were killed during the 1991 rampage. Harris had worked as a postal clerk in Ridgewood before being dismissed in April 1990. His former supervisor, Carol A. Ott, had reportedly documented threatening and harassing behavior by Harris and had participated in the disciplinary process that led to his removal. Harris blamed Ott and the Postal Service for his firing and continued to resent them long after he lost his job. In preparation for violence, Harris accumulated firearms, ammunition, grenades, homemade explosive devices and bladed weapons. He was particularly interested in martial arts and ninja imagery and sometimes dressed in a black ninja-style uniform. Investigators later concluded that his actions were carefully planned rather than an impulsive workplace confrontation.

The Earlier Murder of Roy Edwards

The 1991 postal murders eventually connected Harris to an earlier killing. On November 15, 1988, an armed intruder wearing dark clothing entered the Montville, New Jersey, home of investment broker Roy Edwards. Harris had invested money through Edwards and believed that he had lost approximately $10,000. During the home invasion, members of the Edwards family were restrained and terrorized. Roy Edwards attempted to escape and was fatally shot. The case remained unresolved for nearly three years. After Harris was arrested in October 1991, investigators examined the weapons found in his possession. Ballistic evidence linked one of his firearms to the bullet used to kill Edwards, resulting in additional charges against Harris.

The Murders of Carol Ott and Cornelius Kasten

On the night of October 9, 1991, Harris traveled from his home in Paterson to Wayne, New Jersey. Wearing black clothing and carrying multiple weapons, he entered the residence shared by Carol Ott and her fiancé, Cornelius "Corky" Kasten Jr. Ott, who was 30 years old, was Harris's former supervisor at the Ridgewood Post Office. Harris attacked her with a sword, inflicting fatal injuries. He also shot 36-year-old Cornelius Kasten, who was inside the home. Both victims died before help could reach them. The attack on Ott appears to have been motivated by Harris's belief that she was responsible for the loss of his postal job. Kasten had no known involvement in Harris's employment dispute and was killed because he was present when Harris entered the residence. ...

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Cornelius Kasten Jr. 36 yr old Male

A former postal worker commits mass murder | October 10