Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Justin Hazel, 25, of East Orange of murder for fatally stabbing Floyd McLean, a 39-year-old East Orange father of three.
The case was tried before the Honorable Thomas M. Moore, J.S.C., over two days. The jury deliberated for 3 and ½ hours before returning the guilty verdict. In addition to the murder charge, Hazel was also found guilty of weapons offenses.
On Nov. 18, 2010, McLean, the former owner of Up Top Clothing, was sitting in a parked car on Webster Place in East Orange trying to sell Hazel’s girlfriend a pair of sneakers when Hazel fatally stabbed the victim in a jealous rage.
“This was a case where the defendant’s anger led to an unfortunate tragedy,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Shaughnessy, who tried the case. “Mr. McLean was a family man and a businessman whose life was ended prematurely in a senseless act of violence.’’
Hazel is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 19 by Judge Moore. He faces a minimum of 30 years in New Jersey State Prison. He is currently at the Essex County Correctional Facility.
