Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that suspects have been identified in two Maplewood homicides and warrants have been issued for their arrests.
A manhunt is underway for Marquise L. Foster, 25, of North Plainfield and Alrashim N. Chambers, 23, of Newark. Foster and Chambers are wanted for the murder of Victoria Carmen White.
White, 28, of Newark was fatally shot on Sept.12, 2010 at an apartment in the 100 block of Jacoby Street in Maplewood. The suspects met White at The 43rd Street Café, an Irvington nightclub. The suspects, White and two other people returned to the Jacoby Street apartment to continue partying. An altercation occurred and White was killed.
Foster is approximately 5 feet and six inches tall and 130 pounds. His last known address is North Plainfield. Chambers is 5 feet 10 inches and approximately 165 pound. He lives in Newark.
Acting Prosecutor Laurino also announced the arrest of John Staten, 30, of Orange for the March 15, 2010 murder of 27-year-old Arthur Downey. Staten was taken into custody on Tuesday.
Downey was found at approximately 7 a.m. unresponsive in bed in his Henry Place apartment by his female roommate. The cause of death was blunt force trauma. He was beaten to death. His 2007 Chevrolet Trail Blazer was missing from the home when the body was discovered. Downey and the defendant met in a telephonic chat room.
Staten was arrested without incident in Newark and is now at the Essex County Correctional Facility. Bail was set at $1 million for Staten.
These are mere accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
