Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Andre Mells was sentenced to life in prison by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, for the 2011 murder of Idris Denmark.

On Jan. 9, 2014, an Essex County jury convicted Mells, 27, of Irvington of murder for the May 29, 2011 shooting death of Denmark.

Denmark, 27, of Newark was shot ten times with two guns at 4:30 in the afternoon in New Hope Village on Norfolk Street in Newark, according to Assistant Prosecutor Portia Downing, who tried the case.

Following a four-day trial before Judge Ravin, the jury deliberated for approximately five hours before finding Mells guilty of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Today, Judge Ravin sentenced Mells to 75 years in New Jersey State Prison. Mells will be eligible for parole in 63.75 years.

“This defendant forfeited his right to live in the community when he decided to pull out a gun and fatally shoot someone in broad daylight,” said Assistant Prosecutor Downing. “We were able to get a measure of justice for the family and the community because people were willing to come forward and testify. The bravery and cooperation of witnesses made was crucial to the successful prosecution of this case.’’

Prior to being convicted of this murder, Mells had 18 adult arrests and two prior felony convictions. In 2003 he was convicted of aggravated assault and in 2005 he was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Andre Mells, 29, of Irvington of the May 2011 murder of Idris Denmark, 27, of Newark.

Denmark was shot ten times with two guns at 4:30 in the afternoon on May 29, 2011 in New Hope Village on Norfolk Street in Newark, according to Assistant Prosecutor Portia Downing, who tried the case.

Following a four-day trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury deliberated for approximately five hours yesterday before finding Mells guilty of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Today, the jury returned and also found Mells guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon – a separate offense that is only presented to the jury after a defendant is found guilty of a committing a crime with a gun.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 28 before Judge Ravin. Mells faces 30 years to life for the murder and another 10 years for the convicted felon in possession of a weapon charge.

“This was a brazen shooting in broad daylight in heavily populated area. We were successful in the prosecution of this case because of the assistance of people in the community who willingly came forward and testified. Without their bravery and cooperation it would have been a very difficult case to prosecute,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Downing.

Mells has 15 adult arrests and two prior felony convictions. In 2003 he was convicted of aggravated assault and in 2005 he was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon.