Woman Found Guilty of Assaulting Husband

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Marie Jean-Francois, 46, of East Orange of aggravated assault for stabbing her husband. The defendant’s 39-year-old husband had moved out of the house and was living in Irvington when Jean-Francois confronted him and stabbed him multiple times on Oct. 1,…

Grand Jury Indicts Women for Starving Child to Death

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a 38-count indictment charging Venette Ovilde aka Krisla Rezireksyon and Myriam Janvier with the murder of 8-year-old Christiana Glenn. In addition to murder, Rezireksyon, who is the mother of the child, and Janvier, a friend who shared responsibility for…

Man Admits Kicking Dog in the Eye

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Oswald Hall, 61, of Newark pleaded guilty to one count of third degree animal cruelty. Assistant Prosecutor Dawn D’Amico, who handled the case, said on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2012 Hall kicked the dog, Zoey, in the head while wearing boots. Zoey, a small…

Orange Man Sentenced For 2010 Maplewood Murder

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., sentenced John Staten, 32, of Orange to 18 years in state prison for killing Arthur Downey. In March 2010 Downey, 27, of Maplewood was killed by Staten. The two met through a telephone chat service. Downey picked up Staten…

Woman Indicted for Burglary and Animal Cruelty

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a four count indictment charging Haniyyah Barnes, 25, of Newark with second degree burglary, third Degree Animal Cruelty, third Degree Theft and third Degree Criminal Mischief. The indictment alleges Barnes forcibly kicked in the door to the victim’s…

Man Indicted for Murder of Newark Police Officer

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Rasul McNeil-Thomas, 20, of Newark for first degree murder, first degree conspiracy to commit murder, first and second degree carjacking, first degree attempted murder, second degree aggravated assault, two second degree weapons charges, and third degree child endangerment…