‘Portal to hell’ case goes to trial in Union County

Five years ago, Carolyn Bunnell, then 53, and Barbara Perrine, 50, went to their backyard after seeing the contents of the shed thrown on the ground. What happened next led to fear and months of hospitalization and rehabilitation.

Authorities say Morgan Mesz, then 25, exited their shed and pounced on the two Union women, wielding a knife and a hatchet. Mesz later told police he had been searching for a "portal to hell," behind the Longview Road home, NJ Advance Media reported.

Opening arguments in the case involving Mesz were scheduled to begin Wednesday before Union County Superior Court Judge Stuart Peim..

According to Nj Advance Media, police said Bunnell and Perrine were saved when their neighbor, Hernan Agudelo, rushed to their aid, attacking Mesz with a miniature bat and restraining him until police arrived. He was also injured in the struggle.

Bunnell and Perrine were unable to comment on the incident or the trial, a family member told NJ 101.5 Wednesday.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.