Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Al-Quadir Williford, 17, of Newark for first degree murder and two second degree weapons possession charges in the death of Dechania Edwards, 23, of Newark.
On August 29, 2011, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Edwards was shot in the 100th block of 12th Avenue. Police found her bleeding on a sidewalk and she was taken to University Hospital where she later died.
Williford was originally charged as a juvenile. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office filed a successful application to have Williford’s case transferred from the Family Division to the Law Division, where Williford will be tried as an adult.
Williford is scheduled to be arraigned on charges in the indictment on June 5, 2011 before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.
