2 plead not guilty in deaths tied to ‘Real Housewives’ guest

PATERSON, N.J. >> Two men pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder charges stemming from a double homicide involving a burning car tied to a woman who often appears on “Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

Clarence Williams, 26, and Gerry Thomas, 28, entered their pleas during their initial court appearances made via a camera feed from the Passaic County jail. The mother of one of the victims yelled out, “You’re scum!” when the men asked to conceal their faces so they could not be seen on the monitor and by news crews in the courtroom.

The two Paterson residents are due back in court on Friday for a detention hearing, where a judge will decide if bail will be set for either man or if they will remain in custody until their trials.

Both men were arrested late Monday in Paterson. They are charged with felony murder, conspiracy to commit felony murder, robbery, arson and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.

Emergency responders found the bodies of Aaron Anderson, 27, and Antonio Vega Jr., 28, both of Paterson, on Friday inside a burning white Audi that’s owned by Kim DePaola. DePaola has frequently appeared on Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” reality show, and authorities said her son, Christopher Camiscioli, 27, had been driving the Audi.

Anderson’s mother has said he borrowed the car from Camiscioli.

Authorities have not said how the two victims died.

On Sunday, DePaola posted on Instagram that she and her son were safe.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the victims’ families of this truly horrific tragedy,” she wrote.

Authorities have declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.