Essex County Jury Convicts Newark Man of Vehicular Homicide

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Najeeh Green, 30, of vehicular homicide and other charges in connection with the death of Priscilla Godoy, a 29-year-old Newark mother.

On May 5, 2018, Green was involved a crime spree that resulted in a man being shot in Newark, a woman being carjacked at gunpoint in East Orange as she unloaded packages from her car and ultimately the death of Godoy.

Godoy’s skull was crushed when she was pinned between two park cars on South 14th Street around 11:44 pm as she tried to avoid the fleeing stolen Jeep Cherokee. She was rushed to University Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Following a nine-day trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, an Essex County jury returned a verdict yesterday morning finding Green guilty of all 11 counts. In addition to felony murder, vehicular homicide, and manslaughter while fleeing police, the jury also found him guilty of aggravated assault on the shooting victim, carjacking of the woman in Newark, conspiracy to commit carjacking and aggravated assault and multiple weapons offenses.

Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, June 13, before Judge Ravin.

The defendant, who has three prior felony convictions, faces life in prison.

“The defendant victimized three families. Because of the courage of those who survived, we were able to bring justice to the Godoy family as well as those who were carjacked and shot,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Jason Goldberg who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Brian Olsen.

Prosecutor Stephens lauded all those involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case. In addition to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit and the Crash and Fire Unit, he also commended the Newark Police Department and the East Orange Police Department.

Newark—Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Gustavo Palomo, 39, of Newark pled guilty to first degree vehicular homicide for causing the death of 19-year-old Jaleel McCauley of Newark.

In exchange for his guilty plea, entered before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, Palomo is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 2, 2020.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who handled the case, on March 17, at approximately 6:39 p.m. McCauley was struck from behind by a white pick-up truck while his car was stopped at a red light on the exit ramp of I-280 and First Street in Newark. Palomo, the driver of the white pick-up truck that struck McCauley, fled the scene.

McCauley sustained serious injuries. On March 23, he died from his injuries.

Palomo, who was traveling at a high rate of speed and driving under the influence of alcohol, was quickly apprehended, according to Assistant Prosecutor Pollock.

“By choosing to drink and drive, this defendant ended the very promising life of an accomplished 19-year-old man. Hopefully, defendant’s long prison sentence will help demonstrate to society that the needless loss of life caused by this truly preventable criminal act will not be tolerated,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Pollock.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Carlos Green, 44, of Irvington was sentenced by the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court, to 14 years in New Jersey State Prison for striking and killing Billy Ray Dudley, 54, of East Orange,

Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

On Dec. 27, 2014 Dudley, a pedestrian, was struck and killed in Irvington in the area of 19th Avenue and Ellis Street after falling in the middle of the street. Green, who was driving a 2003 Cadillac Escalade, was under the influence of alcohol at the time, according to Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock.

The Escalade continued approximately one block when several pedestrians told the driver to return to the scene. Green told police he had two or three drinks that night. Green was transported to University Hospital where a blood sample was drawn. Without being placed under arrest, defendant was transported home by Irvington Police. A search of the car uncovered a partially empty bottle of rum in the trunk of the SUV. On Dec. 30, 2014, toxicology results on defendant’s blood showed that Green had a blood alcohol content of .210 percent.

On Jan. 23, 2015, Green was issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated within 1,000 feet of a school.

On March 30, 2015, arrest warrants were issued for Green charging him with first-degree vehicular homicide.

The case was delayed getting to trial because of appellate issues regarding whether Green’s prior DWI convictions could be admitted at trial. He was convicted in 1998 and 2009 of DWI. The appeals court refused to let the prior convictions in at trial.

Nonetheless, on May 22 of this year, Green was convicted of vehicular homicide.

“This was not an accident. After the prior DWI convictions this defendant was aware of the harm posed. Yet, he continued to get behind the wheel and drive drunk. The outcome of this case is a painful reminder of the consequences of this kind of deliberate, willful disregard for the law,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Pollock.

Green, who had no prior felony convictions, faced 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Garrett Carter, 52, of Newark was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday after being convicted in March by an Essex County jury of vehicular homicide in connection with the death of Steven Dawkins, 39, of Orange.

Sentence was imposed by the Honorable Michael Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, who presided over the trial.

Carter struck and killed Dawkins as he crossed in the 200 block of West Market Street in Newark on Sept. 22, 2017 at 9:30 p.m. At the time, Carter had a blood alcohol level of .168 – more than twice the legal limit.

Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who tried the case, argued for a 20-year sentence but said he believed the 18-year sentence was fair.

“The Judge’s sentence is a clear message that driving while intoxicated, with its traumatic effect on society, will not be tolerated. Hopefully, the sentence will help prevent others from engaging in the conduct that has cost Steven Dawkins’ family so much,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Pollock.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Carlos Green, 44, of Irvington of vehicular homicide for striking and killing Billy Ray Dudley of East Orange following a trial before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who handled the case, on Dec. 27, 2014 Dudley, a pedestrian who was then 54 years old, was struck and killed in Irvington in the area of 19th Avenue and Ellis Street after falling in the middle of the street. Green, who was driving a 2003 Cadillac Escalade, was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

The Escalade continued approximately one block when several pedestrians told the driver to return to the scene. Green told police he had two or three drinks that night. Green was transported to Rutgers University Hospital where a blood sample was drawn. Without being placed under arrest, defendant was transported home by Irvington Police. A search of the car uncovered a partially empty bottle of rum in the trunk of the SUV. On December 30, 2014, toxicology results on defendant’s blood showed that Green had a blood alcohol content of .210%.

On January 23, 2015, Green was issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated within 1,000 feet of a school.

On March 30, 2015, arrest warrants for defendant were issued charging him with first-degree vehicular homicide.

The case was delayed getting to trial because of appellate issues regarding whether Green’s prior DWI convictions could be admitted at trial. He was convicted in 1998 and 2009 of DWI. The appeals court refused to let the prior convictions in at trial.

Nonetheless, yesterday Green was convicted of vehicular homicide.

“With two prior DWI convictions, defendant was a ticking time bomb that finally went off, leaving Mr. Dudley’s family destroyed in his wake. Although a long time coming, they have finally received justice,” said Assistant Prosecutor Pollock.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 2. Green faces 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. This is his first felony conviction.

Newark – Acting Essex Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Mutah Brown, 21, of Newark of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide for causing the death of 18-year-old Quadir K. Jackson, also of Newark.

Jackson was killed in a motor crash that occurred when Brown, Jackson and Kevon Anderson, 22, fled from police in a carjacked Mercedes Benz, according to Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who tried the case.

On May 6, 2017 Jackson carjacked a Mercedes Benz from a driver on Martin Luther King Boulevard at approximately 6 pm. The car was later spotted by officers from the Newark Police Department. The officers attempted to pull over the car but the vehicle, which was then being driven by Brown, fled.

In the area of 16th and South 10th , Brown loss control of the car. When the car crashed, Jackson, who was the backseat passenger, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. The two others – Brown and Anderson – tried to run but were caught by law enforcement officers.

Today, following a trial before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court, an Essex County jury convicted Brown for causing the events that resulted in Jackson’s death. The jury also convicted Anderson of resisting arrest.

Sentencing for both men is scheduled for September 10.

Assistant Prosecutor Pollock credited two quick-thinking Newark Police Officers with the successful apprehension and prosecution of the defendants in this case.

“This case is a cautionary tale about the dangers of carjacking, car theft and attempting to outrun the police. It is also a message to criminals that authorities will not stand for motorists running from the police and putting citizens at risk. In this case, the consequences were deadly for Quadir Jackson and will result in lengthy prison sentence for Brown,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Pollock, who noted Brown was traveling more than 70 miles per hour through the streets of Newark between 6 and 7 p.m. when children and pedestrians were all around.

Brown faces 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced. Anderson faces 18 months in prison.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Nicole Hines, 31, of Newark pled guilty yesterday to death by auto and leaving the scene of the accident that resulted in the death of Rodney Stroughn, a 49-year-old bicyclist, also from Newark.

Hines also admitted operating a vehicle well over the posted speed limit of 25 mph on June 7, 2017, the date of the fatal crash.

In exchange for her guilty plea, the state recommended a five-year prison sentence of which she must serve 85 percent before she is eligible for parole, said Assistant Prosecutor Berta Rodriguez.

“With her guilty plea today the defendant is taking responsibility for the death of Mr. Stroughn whose life was ended far too soon,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Rodriguez.

Hines is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21 before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Criminal Judge.

Hines, driving with a suspended license, on Wednesday June 7, 2017 hit Stroughn on Rose Street in Newark causing fatal injuries. At the time, she was driving a rented black Chevrolet Trailblazer that was disabled in the collision. She and her two passengers abandoned the car on Littleton Avenue in Newark and fled.

Law enforcement linked Hines to the crime and obtained an arrest warrant. Efforts to execute the warrant were unsuccessful until she was arrested shoplifting at Short Hills Mall on July 12, 2017.

Man Enters Guilty Plea to Eluding Charges

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Freddie Wright, 23, of Newark pled to eluding and other charges yesterday just as his trial was scheduled to begin before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Wright is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in New Jersey State Prison, according to Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Giordano, who handled the case. Wright must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

“This plea reflects the damage this defendant caused not only to those involved in the crash that day, but to hundreds of drivers whose lives he put in jeopardy as a part of his reckless acts,” said Assistant Prosecutor Giordano.

On Aug. 11, 2014 Wright, traveling in a stolen Jeep Cherokee, took police on a chase that began in Newark and ended with a crash in Bernards Township that shut down Route 287 during rush hour. Two people were injured, a civilian and a police officer. A woman, who was eight months pregnant and a passenger in the stolen vehicle, was rushed to the hospital where she gave birth the next day.

The incident started in Newark on 17^th Avenue and South 19^th Street. State Police attempted to stop the vehicle after running the license plates and finding the Jeep had been reported stolen. During the pursuit, the driver of the Jeep went onto Route 78 West, Route 24 West and 287 South, hitting a minivan and a Bernards Township Police car. According to police reports, the Jeep reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Following the crash, the highway was closed in both directions for hours.

Yesterday (Jan. 5, 2016) Wright pled guilty to 2^nd degree eluding, 2^nd degree aggravated assault while eluding for hitting a civilian victim, 2^nd degree aggravated assault while eluding for hitting the Bernards Police Officer and 3^rd degree leaving the scene of an accident with injuries for striking a New Jersey State trooper’s vehicle breaking the trooper’s hand.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 19 before Judge Cronin.

Newark Man Sentenced to 20 years for Aggravated Assault and Eluding

Defendant fled from police on Irvine Turner Boulevard

 Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Ali Bass, 33, of Newark was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court.

On Nov. 5, an EssexCounty jury convicted Bass of aggravated assault by eluding, eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon – a motor vehicle – and resisting arrest.

Today, Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case, argued for an extended prison term because of Bass’s extensive criminal record.

As an adult, Bass has been arrested 16 times, has violated probation twice and has five prior felony convictions which include possession of a handgun, escape from custody, and drug offenses. Today’s conviction represents the defendant’s sixth felony conviction.

Edwab argued that Bass had the benefit of probation, jail time and two stints in state prison but continued to commit new and even more serious crimes.

The crime he was sentenced for today occurred on Dec. 11, 2009. Bass, while driving a Ford Taurus, knowingly fled from Newark Police after being given a signal to stop. While eluding the police and driving on the wrong side of Irvine Turner Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Newark, Bass crashed the Taurus he was driving head-on into a Toyota Tundra, causing the Tundra to go airborn and landed on its side.

This crash resulted in injuries to the driver of the Tundra. In addition, both Bass and his passenger were injured. Bass suffered multiple fractures to his femur and his passenger sustained injuries to his neck, back and hand.

“Defendant Bass’s selfish actions to avoid apprehension created a risk of serious injury or death to not only himself and his passenger but the driver of the Tundra, the police, and the good citizens of Newark on Irvine Turner Blvd,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Edwab, noting this occurred during the middle of the day.

Under the No Early Release Act, Bass must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.

In addition, Bass is charged with committing three homicides. He is awaiting trial on those charges.

On Nov. 19, 2012, while driving a Chrysler Pacifica SUV, Sterling hit an ambulance, setting off a multi-vehicle crash on South Orange Avenue and South 9^th Street in Newark. A food truck and county transportation bus were involved in the crash. Two people, traveling in the ambulance, were killed.

Montclair resident Keith Chipepo, 30, who was employed by the private ambulance company, was killed in the crash on Nov. 19, 2012, Martha Conley, 58, of Newark, who was a patient in the ambulance, died from her injuries on Nov. 28, 2012.

Sterling was originally charged with eluding, aggravated assault, driving with a suspended license and causing death and bodily injury.

Appearing before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Criminal Court Judge in Essex County, yesterday he pled guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter. Under the terms of the plea agreement he is expected to be sentenced to 13 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act, Sterling must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 16 before Judge Wigler.

The case was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Jason Hollingsworth.

“This was a terrible crash that resulted in the death of two innocent people,’’ said Hollingsworth.