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'Murdered senselessly': Family disputes account of fatal Moorestown home invasion

The resident fatally stabbed rap artist James Doyle, who he said broke into his home. Doyle's family says there was no forced entry.

James Doyle, whose stage name was “Jimmy D’s,” was fatally stabbed by a Moorestown resident who said Doyle and another man broke into his home. Doyle’s family has said there was no forced entry into the home.
James Doyle, whose stage name was “Jimmy D’s,” was fatally stabbed by a Moorestown resident who said Doyle and another man broke into his home. Doyle’s family has said there was no forced entry into the home.Read moreProvided by Doyle family

James Doyle's family wants authorities to charge the Moorestown resident who told police that he fatally stabbed Doyle and wounded another man after they broke into his home Sunday.

Doyle, known as "Jimmy," "was murdered senselessly and without question," his family wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses and legal services. "He was an extremely bright light in all of our lives, and we need your help to make sure true justice is served."

Doyle's brother Joseph said in an interview that investigators told him there was no forced entry in the home in the 700 block of Hartford Road, a mostly rural area with few neighboring homes about two miles from Route 130.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office declined to comment and has said the investigation was continuing. The resident, who has not been identified by authorities, told investigators that two men broke into his home, a struggle ensued, and he stabbed both with a kitchen knife around 12:20 a.m. Sunday.

Doyle was pronounced dead at the scene. The second man fled and has not been identified. Authorities are investigating whether he was the individual who was treated for a stab wound to a leg at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in Willingboro later Sunday.

A man outside the Moorestown home Monday told a reporter to leave. It could not be determined if he was the person who stabbed Doyle and the second man.

The county medical examiner ruled Doyle's death a homicide. The homeowner has not been charged.

Joseph Doyle said his 26-year-old brother was a rising rap and hip-hop singer who played at Philadelphia venues such as Voltage Lounge near Seventh and Callowhill Streets and Ethik Clothing Co. on South Street. Doyle's stage name was Jimmy D's.

"He just was a crowd-pleaser," Joseph Doyle, 33, of Mount Laurel, said. "He just controlled the crowd. People loved his music."

Doyle is one of six siblings and grew up in Moorestown. He played basketball and football at Moorestown High School, his brother said.

Doyle was charged several times with selling or possessing drugs in recent years, but his brother said that had nothing to do with what happened Sunday.

Joseph Doyle said his brother was driven to the Moorestown home by the second man who was stabbed. Joseph Doyle said he did not know the second man, why they were at that house, or whether they knew the homeowner, though he believes his brother did not.

Anyone with information can call Burlington County Central Communications at 609-265-7113.