Dec. 15, 2014
Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Aggravated Manslaughter
Newark– Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Daniel Bedford, 23, of East Orange of aggravated manslaughter for killing Kareem Montague, 33, of Newark.
Following a trial before the Honorable Siobhan A. Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury also found Bedford guilty of carjacking and weapons offenses.
According Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Roger J. Imhof, who tried the case, at approximately 2:30 a.m. on June 6, 2012, Newark Police officers discovered Montague’s body in a parked 2004 Pontiac Grand Am on Dickerson Street in Newark. Montague was suffering from a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later determined he died from a single stab wound to the heart.
Bedford, who admitted stabbing Montague, claimed it was in self defense during a drug deal. The defendant admitted he was purchasing “leek,” a marijuana cigarette dipped in embalming fluid, and the two got into a fight. During the struggle, Bedford left his wallet in the vehicle. Blood and other evidence also linked Bedford to the crime.
Today, a jury rejected Bedford’s self defense argument and found him guilty of aggravated manslaughter. The jury acquitted him of the more serious offense of murder.
“This was a senseless killing. For no apparent reason, this defendant violently attacked the victim,’’ said Imhof.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2015 before Judge Teare.
The defendant faces 10 to 30 years on both the carjacking and the aggravated manslaughter. Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
