Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Kyron Washington, 24, of Newark for the murder of Arlene Fields, 42, of East Orange.
The Grand Jury returned a five-count indictment charging Washington with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose. In a separate indictment, Washington was also charged with fourth degree possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
The indictment alleges that Fields was fatally shot by Washington at about 8:30 p.m. on April 14, 2011 at 799 Broad Street in Newark, approximately 500 feet from Branford Place.
Within 18 hours of the shooting Washington was identified as the shooter and warrants were issued for his arrest. He was apprehended on April 18, 2011 without incident at an apartment in Newark at approximately 11 a.m. Officers from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, working with the FBI Fugitive Task Force, made the arrest.
Washington is currently incarcerated at East Jersey State Prison on an unrelated charge.
The case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Peter Guarino. If convicted of murder, Washington faces 30 years to life in prison.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.
