A Clifton NJ man recently pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal shooting at a local liquor store.
The homicide occurred on October 15, 2015 outside Lexington Liquors, which is located on Lexington Avenue in Clifton, New Jersey. The victim was reportedly helping a friend who worked at the liquor store when the suspect pulled up in a car. Three other men were allegedly in the car with the suspect and were looking to shoot the victim due to an earlier argument. According to authorities, one of the men used a 9mm handgun to fire gunshots in the direction of the victim.
The victim was 21 years of age when he died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in the shooting.
The suspect, a 20-year-old man who is from Clifton NJ, was initially charged with first degree murder. However, Passaic County prosecutors later agreed to reduce the murder charges to manslaughter charges in exchange for the suspect pleading guilty and admitting to his role in the fatal shooting.
If the suspect had gone to trial and been convicted of first degree murder, he would have faced life imprisonment in NJ State Prison and a minimum mandatory term of incarceration of 30 years. Instead, he will now receive a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars when he is formally sentenced by the Passaic County Superior Court judge. Additionally, under the terms of the NJ No Early Release Act, which covers violent crimes in New Jersey, the suspect will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he becomes eligible for release on parole.
The person who allegedly fired the gun during the Clifton liquor store shooting was previously sentenced to 16 years in state prison.
For additional information about this case, access the NJ.com article, “Man, 20, Gets 10 Years in Slaying of Man Outside Liquor Store.”
