Newark New Jersey Manslaughter SuspectA Newark NJ man was recently sentenced 12 years in prison for the fatal killing of a Newark resident four years ago.

The homicide happened in July 2011 at a public housing complex on Elizabeth Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. The fatal shooting occurred around 1 a.m.

According to Essex County NJ prosecutors, the 30-year-old suspect shot and killed the 20-year-old victim in connection with a drug deal. The victim resided at the housing complex.

The suspect was eventually identified as the culprit and placed under arrest.

The suspect later pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Now the suspect has been ordered to serve 12 years in New Jersey State Prison. The suspect recently made an appearance in Essex County Superior Court in Newark for a sentencing hearing. The superior court judge handed down the lengthy sentence.

The suspect will have to serve more than 10 years before he gains eligibility for release on parole. However, he is going to receive credit for the four years he has already served while the charges were pending.

Moreover, the suspect will be allowed to serve his prison sentence concurrently with another sentence out of NY. According to prosecutors, the suspect was previously convicted for illegal gun possession in New York. He received a 9-year prison sentence for that crime.

For additional information about this case, view NJ.com article entitled “N.J. Man Gets 12 Years in Fatal Shooting at Newark Housing Complex.”