Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted James Tolbert, 31, of East Orange, of murder and attempted murder in connection with two separate shootings in 2022 and 2023.
On October 9, 2026, after a day of deliberations, a jury found Tolbert guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose in connection with the 2022 fatal shooting.
The jury also found Tolbert guilty of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose in connection with the 2023 shooting.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards and Assistant Prosecutor Alaric Azeez tried the case before the Honorable John Gizzo, J.S.C.
The prosecution proved that on November 27, 2022, Tolbert and several other men picked up 16-year-old Alsanir Hall from a residence in Newark and drove him to Irvington. After exiting the vehicle with Hall, Tolbert demanded money from the teenager and shot him in the face at close range. Tolbert and other occupants of the vehicle then fled the scene.
The prosecution also established that on January 22, 2023, Tolbert used the same handgun to fire into a Newark residence in Newark where a five-year-old’s birthday party had taken place earlier. Tolbert and another gunman threw items outside the residence to lure 26-year-old Altiliyah Butler outside. The men fired 19 rounds at Butler, striking him twice.
Following the verdict, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Edwards stated, “While nothing can bring Alsanir back, we hope this verdict brings some closure to his family and his loved ones and helps them continue to heal.”
Assistant Prosecutor Azeez added, “We thank the ECPO Homicide Task Force, the Newark Police Division, and the Irvington Police Department for their diligent investigative work and commitment to securing justice for the victims.”
Tolbert is scheduled for sentencing on December 4. He faces 30 years in prison for the murder and 10-20 years in prison for the attempted murder.
Anyone with information related to criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.
JAMES TOLBERT
