Man Sentenced to 55 Years for Murder and Robbery

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Marquise Hawkins, 20, of Newark has been sentenced to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of 16-year-old Khalil Williams of Irvington.

The sentence was handed down today by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court.

The murder occurred in Irvington on Feb. 17, 2012. Hawkins, along with at least two other co-conspirators, drove around for six hours with two loaded handguns looking for someone to rob when they came upon four unsuspecting teenagers walking home, according to Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case.

They robbed these teens at gunpoint. Hawkins stayed inside the parked car, while his accomplices did the physical robbing. He ordered them to shoot as one of the teens tried to get away. Two of Hawkins’ accomplices opened fire, shooting Khalil in the back, killing him. After he was arrested, Hawkins gave a statement to police admitting to being in the car and giving the command,but not pulling the trigger.

Today, at sentencing, Edwab said, “In essence, Hawkins pulled the trigger when he ordered his two accomplices with loaded handguns to shoot.’’

On March 30, an Essex County jury convicted Hawkins of four counts of robbery, felony murder, murder and conspiracy charges.

Today Judge Cifelli sentenced Hawkins to 40 years for the murder to run consecutive with a 15-year sentence for the robbery. Under the No Early Release Act, Hawkins must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

“This was a senseless homicide that didn’t have to happen,’’ said Edwab.

Two co-defendants Haroon Perry, 23, and Azim Brogsdale, 19, both of Newark are awaiting trial. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court of law.