Arrest In Sept. 17 Fatal Hit and Run

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force arrested Luis Cruz, age 42, of Nutley and charged him in connection with the 9/17/11 hit and run death of Jodi DeSoto, 48, of Belleville. DeSoto is the widow of the…

Newark Man Charged with Bias Crime for Harassing Gay Neighbors

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that detectives with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards/Bias Crimes Unit arrested Douglas Brown, 36, Newark. Assistant Prosecutor Portia Downing authorized harassment, bias intimidation and criminal mischief charges against Brown. In May of 2011 Brown began harassing his former neighbors, a homosexual couple living on…

Off-Duty Newark Police Office Shoots Carjacker

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department are investigating a police-involved shooting. The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1:13 AM today an off-duty Newark Police Officer was stopped at a red light in his personal…

Two Homicides in Newark Overnight

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that two people were shot and killed in Newark overnight. Dechania Edwards, 23, of Newark was fatally shot in the vicinity of 176-178 12th Avenue at approximately 11:16 last night. Police responding to the scene discovered the victim on the…