Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that Chantal Mitchell, 31, of Newark, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for killing Deitrick Mitchell, 21, of Newark, back in February 2020.
Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler sentenced Mitchell on Friday, March 17. Late last year, she plead guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree aggravated assault. Mitchell admitted on December 20, 2022, to shooting two people, and killing one of them, in exchange for a 28-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison.
Under the No Early Release Act, she must serve 85 percent of her sentence before she is eligible for parole. She must also serve five years of parole supervision after being released from State Prison.
On Feb. 10, 2020, Mitchell opened fire on two people standing in front of a bodega at 139 Clinton Avenue in Newark, said Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards, who handled the case. She had argued with several men outside the bodega just prior to the shooting. She left in her vehicle after the argument but returned minutes later, firing multiple shots toward the bodega entrance as she drove through the parking lot. Deitrick Mitchell was fatally struck by the gunfire, and a second victim sustained a nonfatal gunshot wound.
“This was a tragic ending to a verbal argument and highlights the dangers of gun violence in our community,” said Edwards. “I hope this sentence will provide some closure to Deitrick’s family.”
This is Mitchell’s third conviction. She was previously convicted twice for distributing drugs.
