Newark, N.J – Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted an Orange man of first-degree murder in the 2018 fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend in Montclair.
Ahigjah Broomes, 29, was convicted of first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Simonetti and Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Laprade tried the case before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, J.S.C.
The jury returned its verdict on Monday, March 23, 2026, following a six-day trial.
The prosecution proved that in the early morning hours of April 27, 2018, Broome stalked Akirah Townes, 20, also of Orange, and ultimately killed her, four months after she ended their relationship.
Townes, a student at Kean University, was with a group of friends on Bloomfield Avenue preparing to leave for a trip to Virginia Beach. The defendant approached Townes armed with a knife, stabbing her multiple times, even as she tried to escape and friends tried to intervene. The defendant then fled the scene. Townes was transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center where she was later pronounced deceased.
Following the verdict, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Simonetti said, “The Townes family has waited eight long years for justice for Akirah, this verdict delivers that justice. We hope it provides the family with some measure of closure.”
Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Laprade added, “We thank the jury for ensuring justice was served. While no verdict can bring Akirah back, this decision holds the defendant fully accountable for this abhorrent act of domestic violence.”
Broomes is scheduled for sentencing on June 29, 2026. He faces a minimum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison.
The public is encouraged to report any information related to criminal activity by contacting the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.
AHIGJAH BROOMES
