Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted James Perry, 24, of Newark of 11 counts, including manslaughter by eluding, in connection with the death of Joselin Lizardo, 34, and her 10-year-old son, Aneudy Breton, both of Newark.
Ms. Lizardo was running errands just blocks from her home when her Toyota Corolla was hit by Perry who was fleeing East Orange Police in a stolen 2006 Acura on Nov. 25, 2008, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
After a seven-day trial, the jury deliberated for a half a day before finding Perry guilty of all 11 counts in the indictment, including manslaughter by eluding, eluding, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, failure to render aid to an injured victim and related charges.
Perry is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2012 before the Honorable Joseph A. Portelli.
“We will seek a life sentence given the fact that the defendant has two prior felony convictions,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Ralph Amirata, who handled the case along with Assistant Prosecutor Erica Liu.
Perry was previously convicted of distribution of narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school and a theft offense.
“With the assistance of the East Orange Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Forensic Laboratory DNA Unit, we hope we are able to bring a measure of closure and comfort to the family who suffered two extremely tragic losses,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Amirata.
Two other defendants, who were in the car with Perry, are awaiting trial on receiving stolen property charges. They are Eugene Reaves, 27, and Chad Pamplin, 22, both of East Orange.
The charges against Reaves and Pamplin are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plea guilty or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
