Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Rafael Moreta, 21, of Orange pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter for killing Mark Fisher, 21, of Orange.
Fisher was fatally shot in the 200 block of Oakwood Place in Orange on Dec. 2, 2010. After one day of trial testimony before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, J.S.C, the two defendants entered guilty pleas. Moreta pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter. His co-defendant, Dajuan Hudley, 20, of East Orange pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Howard Zuckerman, who handled the case, the state’s theory was that Moreta was upset because his friend has been killed the night before so he shot Fisher in retaliation. Following the shooting, Hudley drove the getaway car.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 15. Under the terms of the plea agreement Moreta faces 10 years. Hudley is expected to receive probation.
Moreta is currently serving a prison sentence for threatening a corrections officer and for possession of a gun.
