Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Eddie Roberson, 31, of Newark of the February 2013 murder of Talif Crowley, 38, of Bloomfield following a two-week trial before the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, Roberson and Crowley were long time friends. The two had bet $700 on the Feb. 3, 2012 Super Bowl between the 49ers and the Ravens in which the Ravens won 34 to 31. Roberson, believing his team had been cheated, did not want to pay up. Two days later, Roberson confronted Crowley on Goodwin Avenue as Crowley was on his way to his mother’s home and shot him six times, killing him.
Today, an Essex County jury convicted Roberson of murder and weapons offenses. Roberson faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 22, 2016. Roberson has three prior felony convictions for drugs, guns and eluding.
“This was a particularly senseless murder of a man who was well liked in the neighborhood,’’ said Wells, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Mira T. Ohm. “This defendant killed a friend rather than pay up on a friendly bet. I’m glad the jury saw it for what it was.’’
