Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Orange Police Director John Rappaport announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Orange Police Department have made three arrests in connection with two homicides in Orange.
Raymond White, 26, of Newark was arrested for the murder of Hameek Thomas, 18, of Orange.
Thomas was killed on Aug. 31, 2011 on the 200 block of Cleveland Street. White was arrested yesterday and charged with murder and weapons offenses. He is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Bail was set at $750,000 by the Honorable Judge Joseph Cassini, J.S.C.
A 17-year-old male juvenile and 20-year-old Kenyatah Rhodes, both of Orange, have been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of Kelry-Pierre Jules, 23, of Orange. On Aug. 30, 2011 Jules was beaten in the 100 block of Cleveland Street in Orange and died a short time later at University Hospital in Newark.
Rhodes was arrested Thursday, April 5. He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility on $250,000 bail. The juvenile, who is not being named at this time because of his age, was arrested yesterday.
“This is a culmination of a team effort by the Orange Police Department and the Essex County Task Force, which resulted in a successful arrest,’’ said Orange Police Director John Rappaport.
These homicides are believed to be unrelated at this time.
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.
