Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jaworski Sneed, 20, of East Orange of murdering 47-year-old Daryl Logan of Newark.
Following a two-week trial before the Honorable Judge Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., the jury deliberated for just over three hours before convicting Sneed of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon – a handgun.
The murder occurred on Christmas Eve 2011. The victim left the corner grocery store, where he was working, to break up a fight that had spilled out into the street in front of the store located at Osborne Terrance and Shephard Avenue in Newark. The victim was punched and fell to the ground. The defendant then came from behind and shot the victim while he was on the ground.
The victim’s daughter, who lived in an apartment directly across from the grocery store, witnessed the fight and the fatal shooting of her father.
“This was a brutal, senseless murder of a hardworking, innocent man who, in the spirit of Christmas, was trying to break up a fight,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Kim M. Acocella.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 13. Sneed faces 30 years in New Jersey State Prison.
“At sentencing, the state will ask for the maximum sentence,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Harry Moskowitz, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Acocella.
