A south New Jersey lottery winner was arraigned Tuesday on charges that he murdered his mother-in-law and stabbed his wife at the family home in Egg Harbor Township.
Oscar Cordoba, 50, bought the house shortly after winning $17.9 million in the state's lottery in 1989.
In court, Cordoba told the judge that he understood what he was charged with. He also asked where his mother was. She lives in Argentina.
Authorities said Cordoba attacked his wife, Sylvia, with an 8-inch kitchen knife Monday. The couple's two daughters came to the woman's aid. Then officials said he tried to stab his 16-year-old daughter.
Sylvia, 53, and her daughters ran to a next-door neighbor for help, but Sylvia's mother remained in the home. Police said Cordoba stabbed Julia Bradway, 75, to death.
The couple's 9-year-old son was still in the home when Bradway was killed, according to authorities.
Neighbors described the family as quiet and shy.
Cordoba referred to the lottery money during his arraignment when the judge asked if he had money to pay for a lawyer.
"I still have five more checks from the lottery," Cordoba said.
Sylvia Cordoba is recovering from her stab wounds and has been released from the hospital. Her husband is being held on $1 million cash bail and has been charged with one count of murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
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