Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Alexander Alfaro, 20, of Newark to 212 years in New Jersey state prison.

“The sentencing of defendant Alfaro is an important milestone in bringing this case to a just conclusion. We look forward to meeting our ultimate goal which is the successful prosecution and conviction of all six defendants who participated in the events of that terrible night,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray.

On April 5, Alfaro was convicted of 16 of 17 counts, including three counts of murder, for the August 4, 2007 triple murder of three Delaware State University students. He was found not guilty of the attempted murder of a fourth student. The survivor, Natasha Aeriel, was shot but not cut with the machete. Iofemi Hightower was shot execution-style like the male victims but was slashed with the machete by Alfaro before being shot.

Alfaro and five others attacked the college students while they were hanging out on the playground of Mount Vernon School in Newark. Victims Iofemi Hightower, Dashon Harvey, both 20, and Terrance Aeriel, 18, were lined up and shot in the back of the head after being robbed. Their injuries were fatal. A fourth victim was shot, but lived and was able to testify at the two trials.

“This was the toughest one yet,” said Assistant Prosecutor Thomas McTigue.

Alfaro is the second defendant to be tried. He took the witness stand and admitted bringing the machete to the playground. He also admitted being a member of MS-13, a notorious Central American street gang.

His half brother, Rodolfo Godinez, 27, of Newark was convicted by an Essex County jury in May of 2010 and was sentenced on July 8, 2010. Melvin Jovel, 21, of Elizabeth was sentenced on November 4, 2010 after entering a guilty plea. Jovel and Godinez were both sentenced to more than 200 years in state prison.

Three other defendants are awaiting trial – Jose Carranza, 32, of Newark, Shahid Baskerville, 19, of Morristown, and Gerardo Gomez, 18, of Newark. Gomez is Alfaro’s cousin.

All defendants awaiting trial are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Re: Sentencing in State v. Alexander Alfaro

The third defendant in the Newark School yard triple murder case, Alexander Alfaro, 20, of Newark is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow – Thursday, May 19, 2011 – by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court at 1:30 p.m.

Judge Ravin’s courtroom is located at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse, 50 West Market Street, Newark, NJ, courtroom 1104.

Assistant Prosecutors Thomas McTigue and Romesh Sukhdeo are handling the case.

Reporters interested in bringing a camera into the courtroom must contact the Trial Court Administrator’s Office at 973-693-5701.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury convicted Alexander Alfaro, 20, of Newark of murder, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy and weapons charges in connection with the August 2007 triple homicide at the Mount Vernon school yard in Newark.

In all, the jury convicted Alfaro on 16 of 17 counts. He was found not guilty of the attempted murder of Natasha Aeriel, the lone surviving victim, and not guilty of the lesser included offense of aggravated assault.

When he is sentenced on May 19, Alfaro faces multiple life sentences. Alfaro is the third defendant to be found guilty in connection with the brutal attack on four Delaware State University students.

Iofemi Hightower, Dashon Harvey and Terrence Aeriel were lined up and shot in the back of the head execution style on Aug. 4, 2007. Hightower was also attacked with a machete. Natasha Aeriel, now 23, was shot and attacked with a machete but survived. She testified in the two trials.
The four had gathered in the playground to listen to music and hang out before heading back to college.

To date, Rodolfo Godinez, now 27, of Newark and his younger brother Alexander Alfaro, 20, also of Newark, have been tried and convicted. Another defendant, Melvin Jovel, pleaded guilty.

“On behalf of Prosecutor Carolyn Murray, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is extremely gratified by the jury verdict in our 3rd schoolyard case, finding the defendant Alexander Alfaro guilty,’’ said Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino.

“We hope that he will join both of his other co-defendants, who are now serving multiple life sentences in state prison,’’ said Laurino. “As I have sadly said on two prior occasions, I hope that this verdict will give some small degree of solace to the families of Iofemi Hightower, Dashon Harvey, Terrence Aeriel and Natasha Aeriel.’’

Assistant Prosecutor Thomas McTigue, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Romesh Sukhdeo, said, “The second trial posed different issues because of the defendant’s age and his claim that he was a victim of duress – a notion the jury ultimately rejected.’’

“Our work did not end today,” said Sukhdeo. “We will now move forward and prepare for the next trial which will probably take place in the fall.’’

Three other defendants are facing trial – Jose Carranza, now 32, of Newark; Gerardo Gomez, 18, of Newark; and Shahid Baskerville, 19, of Morristown.

Acting Prosecutor Murray commended all those who worked tirelessly to bring these cases to a successful conclusion, including Assistant Prosecutors McTigue and Sukhdeo, the investigators from the Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and law enforcement officers in other jurisdictions who have assisted.

On Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at approximately 9 a.m. closing arguments are scheduled in State v. Alexander Alfaro before the Honorable Michael A. Ravin, J.S.C. at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse, Newark, NJ, court room 1104.

Alfaro, 20, of Newark is on trial for the Aug. 4, 2007 triple homicide at the Mount Vernon school yard in Newark, where three promising college students were murdered and a third sustained life-threatening injuries but survived.

The case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. McTigue and Assistant Prosecutor Romesh C. Sukhdeo.

News organizations wishing to bring video or still cameras into the court room must contact the Trial Court Administrator’s office at 973-693-5701.

On Tuesday, March 1, 2011 opening arguments are scheduled in State v. Alexander Alfaro before the Honorable Michael A. Ravin, J.S.C. at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse, Newark, NJ, court room 1104.

Alfaro, 20, of Newark is scheduled to be tried in connection with the Aug. 4, 2007 triple homicide at the Mount Vernon school yard in Newark, where three promising college students were murdered and a third sustained life-threatening injuries but survived.

The case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. McTigue and Assistant Prosecutor Romesh C. Sukhdeo.

News organizations wishing to bring video or still cameras into the court room must contact the Trial Court Administrator’s office at 973-693-5701.