June 11, 2015
Two Plead Guilty to Killing during Gang Discipline
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that two members of the Bloods street gang entered guilty pleas to causing the death of Kelry Pierrejules, 23, of Orange during a gang disciplining on Aug. 30, 2011.
Pierrejules was assaulted on the 100 block of Cleveland Street in Orange. During the assault he hit his head on a brick wall and died a short time later at University Hospital in Newark from his injuries.
Quyri Patrick, 26, and Kourtney Chavis, 29, both of East Orange, were indicted for aggravated manslaughter. On Monday, June 8, appearing before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court, they both pled guilty to second degree conspiracy and second degree reckless manslaughter in connection with Pierrejules’ death.
Patrick, a ranking member of the gang, ordered the disciple of the victim and ordered others to carry it out. Chavis was one of three members to have participated in the actual assault on the victim pursuant to Patrick’s orders.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Patrick is expected to be sentenced to seven years and Chavis to six years. They must serve 85 percent of their sentence before they are eligible for parole. Both the victim and the defendants were members of the Elm Street Piru set of the Bloods street gang.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 27 at 9 a.m. before Judge Cronin.
