On July 27, at 6:11 p.m., police were notified of a shooting on the 300 block of Wainwright Street in Newark. Police found Boykins outside at that location suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:35 p.m.

The investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.

On July 24, at approximately 10:05 p.m., Newark Police officers responded to the above location on reports of a shooting. Arriving officers located three individuals suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. All three victims were transported to University Hospital. One of the victims, who has been identified as Victor Roberts, 28, of East Orange, was pronounced dead at 10:41 p.m. The other two victims, a 24-year-old woman and a six-year-old child, were treated for injuries.

The investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.

By Robert Florida

Twelve-year-old Tyler Roman says his dream is to one day become a surveillance expert for a law enforcement agency.

“I like IT and detective work, so I’d love to work in police surveillance,” says Tyler, who attends Newark’s Robert Treat Academy Charter School. 

On Monday morning, Tyler’s dream took a step closer to becoming a reality, as he joined 19 other children for the start of the Public Safety Youth Academy, an annual summer program for Essex County children between the ages of 8-13.

The academy is sponsored by the Police and Fire Divisions in Newark and East Orange, as well as the Newark Police Department Community/Clergy Affairs Unit, theEssex County Sheriff’s Office, and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Officials from those entities volunteer to work with the children, so the program is free of charge.

The academy’s aim is to show children what it’s like to work as a police officer or a firefighter. Throughout the summer, they’ll also get a closeup view of the inner workings of the Sheriff’s and the Prosecutor’s offices and learn about various careers in law enforcement.

“It’s important for our youth to know how essential law enforcement is, how it works, and how it affects our communities,” said Debra Smith-Gregory, president of the NAACP Newark branch. “Law enforcement offers our youth many interesting and novel career paths, so this academy is a really good idea.” 

On Monday, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II welcomed the children during a kickoff class held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building. Stephens also introduced a Newark Municipal judge, who swore the children into the academy. Raising their right hands, the children vowed to work hard, pay attention, and learn as much as they can.

The academy, which runs July 17 to August 4, has an ambitious agenda. The children will visit the Essex County Prosecutor’s Crime Scene Lab, where they’ll learn about fingerprinting, DNA, and other evidence, as well as the Drug Enforcement Agency, Rutgers University Police, and the Sheriff’s Office bomb squad unit. There’s also a day-long trip to the Liberty Science Center. They’ll do other fun outings such as seeing a movie, visiting the Turtle Back Zoo, and swimming at a local pool.

Milagros Cuevas, Tyler’s mother, says she wanted him to use his summer fruitfully. She recently took a public safety class for adults, which she enjoyed, so wanted her son to have the same opportunity.

“I didn’t want him to sit at home playing video games,” says Cuevas. “I enjoyed the public safety class I took and wanted Tyler to have a similar opportunity to learn about law enforcement and public safety. And I hope the academy will have him achieve his dream – to become a computer expert in law enforcement.”

MELISSA ROSE COOPER, CORRESPONDENT | JUNE 22, 2023 | HEALTH CARE, LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY

People diagnosed with mental illness who commit nonviolent, petty offenses are the focus

The move to create a statewide mental health diversion program is advancing. On Thursday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would allow people diagnosed with mental illness who committed nonviolent, petty offenses to be eligible for mental health services instead of jail time

Essex County is one of several across New Jersey where mental health diversion programs already exist. “We’re looking for as many ways as possible to keep people who should not be involved in the criminal justice system out of the system, especially when it appears that there’s an underlying mental health reason,” said acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens.

More than 300 people have completed the Essex County program with less than 1% re-offending, according to Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Gwen Williams.

Williams said the legislation would help provide resources for these programs, including hiring additional mental health and other experts and increasing the number of participants.

Watch Video Here > https://player.pbs.org/viralplayer/3081719498

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that two Essex County jail inmates were convicted of attempted murder for brutally beating Jayshawn Boyd with a microwave oven and other items. A third inmate was found guilty of attacking Boyd with additional weapons. Boyd, 22, suffered a traumatic brain injury from the September 2021 attack.

Following a two-week trial, presided over by the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, J.S.C., an Essex County jury found inmates Byad Lockett and Darryl Watson guilty of multiple crimes including first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, and third-degree possession of a microwave for an unlawful purpose, said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor William Chalmers. A third inmate, Isaad Jackson, was found guilty of third-degree possession of a mop bucket and a multi-gallon beverage dispenser for the unlawful purpose of attempting to murder Boyd. The jury, however, was hung as to first-degree attempted murder and second-degree aggravated assault charges for Jackson.  

The vicious beating of Boyd occurred at the Essex County jail, Newark, in Building 3, Level 1, C-Pod. On September 23, 2021, seven inmates attacked Boyd in the common area of the C-pod, beating him unconscious by punching him in the face and stomping on his head. Upon seeing the riot, the sole corrections officer assigned to the C-Pod exited for his safety and immediately called for assistance. Once Boyd was unconscious, Lockett and Watson struck Boyd in the head multiple times with a microwave oven, a multi-gallon beverage dispenser and a broom. Watson furthermore picked up a water cooler and a trash can and threw the items at Boyd’s head. Jackson picked up a mop bucket full of water and threw it at Boyd’s head and struck him in the head with a multi-gallon beverage dispenser. This attempted murder, which lasted approximately two minutes, was captured on video surveillance at the jail.  

“This attack was utterly senseless,” said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab. “The victim was unconscious after sustaining serious headshots during the seven-on-one assault. Lockett, Watson, and Jackson then returned to the defenseless body of Boyd and struck him in the head multiple times with industrial-sized items. While the victim is permanently impaired due to the actions of Lockett, Watson, and Jackson, hopefully, this verdict brings some justice to the Boyd family. A special thank you goes out to the medical personnel who saved the victim’s life as well as to those individuals who testified during this trial.”

Judge Wigler has scheduled sentencing for September 6, 2023. Meanwhile, Watson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2023, after being convicted of murder at a separate trial. Locket is presently serving 12 years in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit murder on February 17, 2023. Jackson also has a pending homicide charge. The State will be seeking a sentence for this jail attack to run consecutive to the underlying matters that Watson, Lockett, and Jackson are facing or are serving in New Jersey State Prison.   

“Jails and prisons are supposed to permit people to pay their debt to society with a minimum of life, health, and safety issues for inmates and staff,” said Acting Prosecutor Stephens. “The jury’s verdict will help all concerned with maintaining the best possible situation considering the typically trying circumstances.”

Jackson

Watson

Lockett

Following a six-week trial before Superior Court Judge Verna G. Leath, the jury deliberated for just three hours before convicting Ray of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2023, before Judge Leath. Ray faces the possibility of a life sentence in New Jersey State Prison.

The murder occurred nearly five years ago in the house the couple shared with their daughter on North Mountain Avenue in Montclair. On October 22, 2018, Ray, now 60, shot Angela Bledsoe, 44, in the chest, face, and back, said Assistant Prosecutor Michele Miller, who tried the case along with Assistant Prosecutor John Petillo. Ray shot Bledsoe shortly after she returned home after dropping their daughter off at school.

Ray then prepared several documents and went to a local bank, where he withdrew checks and cash. He picked his daughter up from school and dropped her off with his brother at a New Jersey restaurant. He asked his brother to take care of his daughter and then abruptly left the restaurant.  Ray traveled through the southwestern United States and into Mexico, where he booked a flight to Cuba. Ray was returned to the United States by U.S. law enforcement officials on Nov. 6, 2018, and has been in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility since then.

Ray was raised in Brooklyn and spent two years as a New York City police officer before earning an M.B.A. and going to law school. He also served in the U.S. Marines.

On the day of her death, Bledsoe had a meeting scheduled with a Realtor to find a place of her own; she was planning to move out of the house she shared with Ray. 

Prosecutor Miller praised the jury for their hard work and patience over the course of the 6-week trial and said she was pleased to have Ms. Bledsoe’s parents in the courtroom when the verdict was read. “They waited a long time for this day,” said Miller, “and they finally got justice for Angela.”

Assistant Prosecutor Petillo praised the jury’s verdict and said he’s grateful that the State was able “to deliver justice to Angela Bledsoe’s family.”

Ray and Bledsoe’s daughter remains with her family members. Having waited nearly five years for the trial to begin, a large group of Bledsoe’s family and friends filled the courtroom. After the verdict was read, Ray Bledsoe, Angela’s father, said he was thankful to Miller for doing “outstanding work.”

Acting Prosecutor Stephens credited the Montclair Police Department, the Allentown Police Department in Pennsylvania, the New Jersey State Police, the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Interpol, and the U.S. Department of State for their efforts in the investigation and in the apprehension of Ray.

Stephens also thanked the jury, the prosecutors, and especially the Bledsoe family. “I’ve never seen a family as engaged with a trial as they were, and having them in the courtroom every day encouraged us to carry out our mission, which is to serve justice,” he said. “And on this day, justice was served.”

On June 26, 2018, Olasoji became enraged when the cab driver refused to give him a ride in East Orange, said Assistant Prosecutor Brianne Cunningham, who tried the case. Olasoji held onto the open door of the cab as the driver drove toward a nearby East Orange police officer. As the cab stopped, Olasoji entered the cab and punched the driver in the face numerous times, causing him to lose several teeth. The police officer, who was conducting a motor vehicle stop nearby, responded to the scene. Olasoji proceeded to bite the officer in the arm. 

On April 27, 2023, following a three-day trial before Superior Court Judge John Zunic, the jury found Olasoji guilty of one count of third-degree aggravated assault on the cab driver, and one count of disorderly persons simple assault on the responding police officer. 

When he is sentenced on June 12, 2023, Olasoji faces up to five years in New Jersey State Prison and possible deportation. 

“I would like to thank the victim for his bravery in coming forward and testifying in this case as well as the responding officer,” said Cunningham. “The jury returned a just verdict that will provide closure for the victim.”

On May 3, at 9:43 p.m., Newark police responded to a report of gunshots on the 200 block of 4th Street in Newark. Police were unable to locate a crime scene, but learned there was a motor vehicle accident in the area of First Street and Sussex Avenue in Newark. Police responded and located Jarvis in his car, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to University Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:16 p.m.

The investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.

On May 3, at 8:33 p.m., Newark police responded to a report of a shooting in an apartment on the 300 block of Johnson Avenue, Newark. Police found an unidentified man and a 7-year-old boy who had both apparently been shot. The man was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:02 p.m., and the boy was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:16 p.m. Another man suffered a gunshot wound and was treated at Beth Israel Medical Center for nonfatal injuries.

There was also an interaction between Newark Police and an alleged suspect, which is under investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General.

The ECPO investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.

On January 24, 2023, police responded at 5:28 p.m. to a report of a shooting on the 100 block of Clinton Avenue in Newark. Doukoure was found unresponsive in a parking lot and pronounced dead at the scene at 6:02 p.m.

After an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, Dequan and Uquan Meadows were both charged with Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose. Both suspects are in custody.  

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.