A Trenton NJ man is heading to trial on first degree murder charges. The suspect, a 35-year-old resident of Trenton, allegedly killed two people and committed a number of armed robberies throughout the Mercer County city over a four-month period in 2014. The suspect’s crime spree allegedly began on July 30: he reportedly shot a 43-year-old man during a robbery attempt at a bus stop in Trenton, NJ. The victim sustained catastrophic injuries in the shooting and later died. In the months that followed, the suspect allegedly committed several violent crimes, including armed robbery and aggravated assault. The crime spree ended when the suspect allegedly used a handgun to shoot and kill a 64-year-old man who was sitting underneath a highway overpass. Trenton police detectives and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office detectives worked together on the investigation and eventually identified the suspect as the likely culprit. He was placed under arrest in October 2014. Mercer County prosecutors then charged the suspect with numerous crimes, including two counts of felony murder and five counts of armed robbery. Trial is slated for May 22 in Mercer County Superior Court, which is located on Broad Street in Trenton, New Jersey.
Life Imprisonment for Murder Conviction in NJ
If the suspect is convicted on the most serious charges of murder, he could potentially spend the rest of his life behind bars in NJ State Prison. That’s because the New Jersey Criminal Code treats murder differently from other first degree felonies. For instance, a murder conviction carries a potential punishment of life imprisonment, with a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 30 years. Moreover, even a conviction on just one of the armed robbery charges could lead to a sentence of 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison. For the last few months, the suspect has been petitioning the court to get his legal representation fired. The suspect reportedly wanted to represent himself during the murder trial. When filing for a change in legal representation, the suspect told the Mercer County Superior Court judge that his criminal defense attorney had been lying to him. Moreover, the suspect said that his attorney was keeping secrets about pretrial strategy and the available evidence in the case. The judge denied the suspect’s request for self-representation, so the suspect ultimately decided to secure alternative counsel. If you’ve been arrested and charged with murder or manslaughter in Mercer County, Atlantic County, Cumberland County, or anywhere else in South Jersey, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer representing you. The aggressive criminal defense attorneys at the Davis Law Firm, LLC can help you fight your charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
