Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Kevin Lloyd, 44, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison without parole by the Honorable Alfonse Cifelli, J.S.C., after an Essex County jury found him guilty of attempted murder and weapons charges.
Lloyd was convicted of attempting to murder Terrell Smith, 23, of Newark as Smith exited a pizzeria at 125 Avon Avenue in Newark. Smith was shot in the back. The shooter was captured on surveillance video. In addition, crime scene officers recovered a shirt with DNA from the defendant. Testimony at trial indicated the shooter removed his shirt after the shooting.
Former Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Ruzich tried the case last year. Lloyd was found guilty of attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Sentencing was delayed because the defendant tried to have his conviction set aside.
Today, Judge Cifelli sentenced Lloyd to life in prison. Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock successfully argued Lloyd was not entitled to a new trial. Pollock also handled the sentencing, noting a mandatory life sentence was required under the Three Strikes Law because Lloyd has two prior first degree robbery convictions.
