Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Robert H. Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Nicholas Welch, 29, of East Orange to life in New Jersey State Prison for the September 2010 murder of Jessica A. Moore, a 19-year-old Seton Hall sophomore from Disputante, Virginia.

In addition to the life sentence imposed for murdering Moore, an honor student who graduated from Upper Merion High School, in Pennsylvania, Welch was sentenced to 20 more years for the attempted murder of four other students.

“This defendant opened fire on unarmed, defenseless college students. There is no place in society for this type of behavior. We are satisfied that this sentence will keep this defendant off the streets for the rest of his life,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Jamel Semper, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Romesh Sukhdeo.

Following an 18-day trial in March of this year, an Essex County jury convicted Welch of murdering Moore and the attempted murder of Yvan Christophe, Nakeisha Vanterpool, Nicosia Henry and Daryl Elmore, all of whom were shot during the attack but survived.

On Sept. 25, 2010, Welch opened fire on a packed off-campus party after members of the fraternity sponsoring the party told him the house was filled to capacity. Welch came back with a gun, burst through the front door and began randomly shooting at the students. Welch, who lived on the same block, said that he ran the block and could not be kept out of any party.
Under the No Early Release Act, Welch must serve 89 years before he is eligible for parole. In New Jersey life is 75 years. A second defendant Marcus Bacus is awaiting trial. Welch has 28 arrests, including 10 as a juvenile, and one prior felony conviction as an adult.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Nicholas Welch, 25, of East Orange has been arrested for the murder of 19-year-old Seton Hall student Jessica Moore of Disputanta, Va.

Welch was arrested at approximately 9:05 p.m. yesterday at his South Clinton Street home which is just down the street from the crime scene.

Still at large is Marcus Bascus, 19, also of East Orange. At the same time officers arrested Welch, they also converged on Bascus’s last known address but he was not there. He lives in the same neighborhood at Welch.

Bascus remains a wanted man. Investigators are pursuing leads locally and beyond. Information regarding his status has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a nationwide law enforcement database.

Acting Prosecutor Laurino is asking for help from the public in apprehending Bascus who is also charged with murder. It is alleged that Bascus supplied the murder weapon.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the East Orange Police Department Violent Crimes Task Force at 973-266-5060 or the anonymous tips line at 973-266-5041. Individuals with information may also phone in tips to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips number 1-877-847-7432.

According to the Acting Prosecutor on Saturday morning, Sept. 25, Welch was denied entry to a private, off-campus party on South Clinton Avenue in East Orange. It is alleged that Welch, angry because he was not allowed into the party, obtained a gun from Bascus, came back to the party, kicked in the door and opened fire on approximately 50 college students attending the party.

Ms. Moore sustained fatal injuries. Four other students were wounded but survived. For safety reasons, their names have not been released yet.

Yesterday, Welch was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and weapons charges.

Last night Welch was taken into to custody at the East Orange Police Department and later moved to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Bail was set for Welch at $2 million by the Honorable Joseph Cassini, 3rd JSC.

Four counts of attempted murder are expected to be added by the time Welch is arraigned tomorrow – Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. before the Honorable Judge Peter J. Vazquez in Room 604, at the Veterans Court House, 50 West Market Street, Newark, NJ.

Bascus is also charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and weapons charges for his role as an accomplice.

Acting Prosecutor Laurino praised the work of law enforcement officers which resulted in an arrest in less than 72 hours after the fatal shooting.

“From the moment this random and senseless crime was reported, members of law enforcement throughout Essex County have worked cooperatively and tirelessly to arrest the person or persons responsible for the murder of Ms. Moore,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Laurino.

He particularly thanked the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Science for working to provide critical evidence that led to the arrest of Welch. He also lauded the East Orange, South Orange and Newark Police Departments, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and the New Jersey Institute of Technology Police Department for their assistance.

Reporters wishing to bring cameras into the courtroom for Welch’s arraignment must contact the Trial Court Administrator’s office at 973-693-5701.

The charges are mere accusations. All defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.