Morning Edition, August 8, 2007 · Three college students were killed execution-style in a Newark, N.J., schoolyard. Mayor Cory Booker, who took office a year ago, says police are making progress against the city's high murder rate. Mayor Booker speaks with Steve Inskeep
Billboards in Newark, N.J., read, "HELP WANTED: Stop the Killings in Newark Now!"
The new mayor, elected last year, ran on a campaign promise of reducing crime. Still, gun violence has become an all too common part of daily life.
Last weekend, four young adults, friends who were headed to college together in a few days, were shot at close range, killing three and critically wounding the fourth.
The brutal killings, along with another unrelated shooting over the weekend, brought Newark's murder total to 60 in 2007. That is three fewer than for the same period in 2006. The count is lower, but statistics show that 17 people have been killed in the city in the past eight weeks – a rate that, if it continues, would surpass 2006's total of 106 murders for the calendar year.
A month ago, Newark's mayor, Cory Booker, announced that crime in the city had fallen by 20 percent in the first six months of 2007, compared with the year before. The number of rapes, aggravated assaults and robberies has fallen. But shootings continue unabated. The murder rate is up 50 percent since 1998.
"This shows that we still have a problem," Booker said. "We're working to push it down and encouraged that we are going to deal with this. We're going to come together."
Booker said the father of one of the victims said he wanted his son's death to be a spark that will pull people together to fix the city's problems.
"We all have to be cognizant that there are things we could be doing to change the way we go about fighting crime, but more importantly preventing crime," Booker told NPR. "This is something we really have to face, gun violence in our country."
Some residents say Booker needs to do more.
"He doesn't deserve another day, another second, while our children are at stake," said Donna Jackson, president of the Take Back Our Streets organization. "Anyone who has children in the city is in panic mode. It takes something like this for people to open up their eyes and understand that not every person killed in Newark is a drug dealer."
Booker, in return, called for unity, saying this is "not a time to play politics and divide our city."
He said the community shows many signs of progress, and that residents, activists and clergy members are helping to turn the city around. Under Booker's watch, a specialized narcotics bureau was established. He has put more police officers on the streets, and the fugitive apprehension team has been successful at bringing in known criminals with outstanding warrants. The city is working on its prisoner re-entry program, helping former inmates reintegrate into society.
"We know Newark is heading in the right direction. We're really turning a corner by every measure," Booker said. "Newark was really doing a lot to challenge the stereotypes that people have often of our great city."
Looking for Clues
Killed in the apparent robbery attempt were Terrance Aeriel, 18, Iofemi Hightower, 20, and Dashon Harvey, 20. Aeriel's sister, Natasha, 19, is listed in fair condition at Newark's University Hospital after being shot in the head.
The friends were hanging out together outside an elementary school in a middle-class neighborhood, less than one mile from the campus of Seton Hall University. They liked to go there and listen to music.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine said the crime was "beyond comprehension," and "cold-hearted and cowardly."
Terrance Aeriel, Hightower and Harvey were forced to kneel against a wall behind the school and were shot at close range. Natasha Aeriel was found about 30 feet away, slumped near some bleachers.
Police are piecing together details of the crime from witnesses, including Natasha Aeriel, and are analyzing graffiti at the school. Security cameras were mounted at the school, but most were not working at the time. City officials said Wednesday the cameras may have been tampered with in the 24 hours prior to the shootings. Investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward and are offering a reward of more than $50,000.
Booker's office said Wednesday that after struggling to find clues, they are now close to identifying at least one suspect. They have not made an arrest.
'Good Kids with Bright Futures'
The four victims were all set to return to Delaware State University this fall. They played music together, and stayed away from drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence. None had criminal records.
"They were good kids," said Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow.
Friends since elementary school, Hightower and the Aeriels had played together in the West Side High School marching band. Terrence Aeriel took Hightower to prom in 2006, chauffeured by his sister. The three met Harvey at Delaware State. Harvey planned to graduate from Delaware State with a degree in psychology in 2009.
Terrence Aeriel was studying business management in college. He wasn't enrolled last spring but had re-enrolled for fall semester. He played the baritone saxophone and attended Delaware State's band camp last summer. He also worked with kids at a teen center.
His sister, Natasha, is a junior, majoring in biology. She played the alto saxophone in the Delaware State marching band.
In addition to school, Hightower held two jobs. One was at an assisted-living center where her mother also works.
"I'm very angry because they were good kids with bright futures," said Hightower's mother, Shalga. "They didn't deserve it. My daughter was a very sweet, loving young lady who would help anybody in need."
Written by Kayla Webley from NPR reports and The Associated Press.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... d=12586302
Murders in Newark
i'm not sure if anyone is following this case, but the killer is a 28 year old illegal Peruvian immigrant, a 15 year old, and there are two more suspects. he shot four of them execution style in the back of a school.
exactly the kind of person that should be executed. he didn't kill a couple of gangsters, or drug dealers, or thugs. he shot four kids with bright futures because he himself was a piece of shit. and donna jackson couldn't have said it better ""He doesn't deserve another day, another second, while our children are at stake,". he's done. he's blew his chance. life in prison isn't good enough. all this B/S about people change. you don't murder three kids at point blank range and change. the police should have shot him execution style as soon as they got him in custody. i'd execute anyone else involved too. you want to solve newark's murder problem, kill all four of the bastards involved.
exactly the kind of person that should be executed. he didn't kill a couple of gangsters, or drug dealers, or thugs. he shot four kids with bright futures because he himself was a piece of shit. and donna jackson couldn't have said it better ""He doesn't deserve another day, another second, while our children are at stake,". he's done. he's blew his chance. life in prison isn't good enough. all this B/S about people change. you don't murder three kids at point blank range and change. the police should have shot him execution style as soon as they got him in custody. i'd execute anyone else involved too. you want to solve newark's murder problem, kill all four of the bastards involved.
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perongregory
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I would probably pop them people who did that too, but that's only a surface solution. And you can rehabilitate people, our prisons aren't set up to rehabilitate people though.se11 wrote:i'm not sure if anyone is following this case, but the killer is a 28 year old illegal Peruvian immigrant, a 15 year old, and there are two more suspects. he shot four of them execution style in the back of a school.
exactly the kind of person that should be executed. he didn't kill a couple of gangsters, or drug dealers, or thugs. he shot four kids with bright futures because he himself was a piece of shit. and donna jackson couldn't have said it better ""He doesn't deserve another day, another second, while our children are at stake,". he's done. he's blew his chance. life in prison isn't good enough. all this B/S about people change. you don't murder three kids at point blank range and change. the police should have shot him execution style as soon as they got him in custody. i'd execute anyone else involved too. you want to solve newark's murder problem, kill all four of the bastards involved.
fuck that shit. you don't deserve to be rehabilitated if you show such a blatant disregard for other human life. if you show so little respect for your fellow humans, we should just shoot you in the head and thats that. but this guy is actually so evil and sick, i wouldn't even want to see him executed. i'd love to see the system throw him(them, as well) in a cell with 10 of the biggest blackest criminals the state can find and let them fucking beat them, rape them, and eventually kill them and then give those guys some jail privleges for doing a good deed for this planet. but, we're lucky if any of them actually get the death penalty in this society that so favors criminals and the innocent suffer all the time. putting them in jail, so they can hang out with a bunch of other criminal hispanic piece of shit gang members isn't going to bring justice to anyone.
and the one whos 15 years old may be out in 3 years, that's just what fucking drives me nuts too. you can take part in an execution of three innocent kids and get out in 3-5 years because your a "minor".
this wasn't just a robbery gone bad or somebody "trippin" at a party. this guy actually executed these kids at point blank range. these kids weren't thugs, gang bangers, or anything bad. these were fucking good middle-class kids, who as young black kids, had great futures ahead of them. it takes a fucking sick mind to do what these people did. and were the criminals scared of what their punishment would be, obyviously not. it takes a sick person to carry out something like this and i think some people really need to re-evaluate the way our court system does things. it's a mockery to these kids, their families and friends, and the girl who is still in the hospital, every day this guy gets to breathe and live his life, while their innocent young boys are burried in the ground somewhere, lives cut short 60 years.
and the one whos 15 years old may be out in 3 years, that's just what fucking drives me nuts too. you can take part in an execution of three innocent kids and get out in 3-5 years because your a "minor".
this wasn't just a robbery gone bad or somebody "trippin" at a party. this guy actually executed these kids at point blank range. these kids weren't thugs, gang bangers, or anything bad. these were fucking good middle-class kids, who as young black kids, had great futures ahead of them. it takes a fucking sick mind to do what these people did. and were the criminals scared of what their punishment would be, obyviously not. it takes a sick person to carry out something like this and i think some people really need to re-evaluate the way our court system does things. it's a mockery to these kids, their families and friends, and the girl who is still in the hospital, every day this guy gets to breathe and live his life, while their innocent young boys are burried in the ground somewhere, lives cut short 60 years.
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$outhPhillypuppet
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Aug 10, 2007 4:30 pm US/Eastern
Suspect Pleads 'Not Guilty' To Newark Murdrers
(AP) NEWARK A suspect in the murder of three students pleaded not guilty Friday as prosecutors tried to explain why the illegal immigrant from Peru was granted bail earlier this year when charged with assault and child rape.
Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, Jose Carranza, 28, said he understood the charges against him, which include the attempted murder of a fourth student and robbery. It was his first court appearance since he surrendered Thursday to Mayor Cory A. Booker.
A second suspect, a 15-year-old boy, pleaded not guilty Thursday and remains in custody, Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Thomas McTigue said Friday. Authorities are seeking to have the boy tried as an adult.
Several media outlets, including WNBC, The New York Times and The Star-Ledger of Newark, reported Friday afternoon that a third suspect, a juvenile, was taken into custody. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm those reports with police, prosecutors or city officials.
Authorities said the hunt continued for others involved in the execution-style shootings, which have ratcheted up anger in New Jersey's largest city. The overall crime rate has declined but the number of killings to date, 60, is nearly even with last year's pace of 63. The killings have prompted billboards in the downtown area that scream, "HELP WANTED: Stop the Killings in Newark Now!"
"We believe there are other suspects out there," Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow said after the arraignment. She termed Carranza a "significant suspect" but declined to elaborate on his role in the shootings or comment on the prior charges he faces.
Dow would not answer questions about how Carranza was released on bail on previous charges this year, despite his immigration status.
Carranza was indicted by grand juries in New Jersey twice this year -- in April on aggravated assault and weapons charges; and in July on 31 counts which included aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13 years old and endangering the welfare of a child he had a duty to supervise.
He was released on $50,000 bail on the assault case, which stemmed from a barroom fight, and $150,000 bail on the sexual assault indictment, which charged that the abuse began in 2003 when the girl was 4 years old and continued to this year.
In a later interview on CNN, Dow said the "uproar" over his immigration status is "going to have to wait for another day."
"We realize that's an issue out here in our criminal justice system, and we are addressing it," Dow added.
The assistant prosecutor handling the murder case, Thomas McTigue, said, "Our focus hasn't been his immigration status."
Prosecutors said they did not immediately recall if Carranza's immigration status was known when he was granted bail on the two indictments, and whether they opposed granting bail.
It is rare for illegal immigrants to be granted bail, especially when charged with serious crimes, said Alan L. Zegas, a noted New Jersey defense lawyer.
"The level of risk of flight increases exponentially when a person is not a citizen of this country and has few, if any, roots here," Zegas said.
On Friday, Carranza, who lives in nearby Orange, could barely be heard in the courtroom, as Booker and relatives of the victims looked on. Carranza wore an orange prison jumpsuit and was handcuffed in front of his body. He stared at the judge and glanced at his lawyer.
State Superior Court Judge Michael R. Casale continued the $1 million bail and ordered that Carranza be held apart from other inmates at the Essex County Jail for his protection.
Carranza's lawyer, Felix Lopez Montalvo, declined to comment after the 11-minute hearing.
Authorities do not believe the four victims knew the assailants before encountering them Saturday night. Carranza and the teen are not related, Dow said, but she didn't elaborate on how they knew each other. The teen's name was not released because of his age.
The four victims, friends aged 18 to 20, were shot while visiting in a school yard not far from their homes Saturday night. Authorities have said robbery appeared to be the motive.
Terrance Aeriel, 18, Dashon Harvey, 20, and Iofemi Hightower, 20, were forced to kneel against a wall and were shot at close range. The fourth victim, 19-year-old Natasha Aeriel, Terrance Aeriel's sister, survived a wound to her head and is hospitalized.
Despite being under sedation for periods of time, Natasha Aeriel was able to help authorities identify the suspects, the mayor said.
Officials said fingerprints on a bottle found at the shooting scene and ballistics evidence tied Carranza to the crime.
Carranza and the teen were charged with three counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and other charges.
Police Director Garry F. McCarthy declined say if authorities had determined who fired shots and what kind of weapon or weapons were used.
All four victims were planning to attend Delaware State University this fall. Instead, three will be buried Saturday.
theres video in the link
http://cbs3.com/local/local_story_220085835.html
Suspect Pleads 'Not Guilty' To Newark Murdrers
(AP) NEWARK A suspect in the murder of three students pleaded not guilty Friday as prosecutors tried to explain why the illegal immigrant from Peru was granted bail earlier this year when charged with assault and child rape.
Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, Jose Carranza, 28, said he understood the charges against him, which include the attempted murder of a fourth student and robbery. It was his first court appearance since he surrendered Thursday to Mayor Cory A. Booker.
A second suspect, a 15-year-old boy, pleaded not guilty Thursday and remains in custody, Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Thomas McTigue said Friday. Authorities are seeking to have the boy tried as an adult.
Several media outlets, including WNBC, The New York Times and The Star-Ledger of Newark, reported Friday afternoon that a third suspect, a juvenile, was taken into custody. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm those reports with police, prosecutors or city officials.
Authorities said the hunt continued for others involved in the execution-style shootings, which have ratcheted up anger in New Jersey's largest city. The overall crime rate has declined but the number of killings to date, 60, is nearly even with last year's pace of 63. The killings have prompted billboards in the downtown area that scream, "HELP WANTED: Stop the Killings in Newark Now!"
"We believe there are other suspects out there," Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow said after the arraignment. She termed Carranza a "significant suspect" but declined to elaborate on his role in the shootings or comment on the prior charges he faces.
Dow would not answer questions about how Carranza was released on bail on previous charges this year, despite his immigration status.
Carranza was indicted by grand juries in New Jersey twice this year -- in April on aggravated assault and weapons charges; and in July on 31 counts which included aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13 years old and endangering the welfare of a child he had a duty to supervise.
He was released on $50,000 bail on the assault case, which stemmed from a barroom fight, and $150,000 bail on the sexual assault indictment, which charged that the abuse began in 2003 when the girl was 4 years old and continued to this year.
In a later interview on CNN, Dow said the "uproar" over his immigration status is "going to have to wait for another day."
"We realize that's an issue out here in our criminal justice system, and we are addressing it," Dow added.
The assistant prosecutor handling the murder case, Thomas McTigue, said, "Our focus hasn't been his immigration status."
Prosecutors said they did not immediately recall if Carranza's immigration status was known when he was granted bail on the two indictments, and whether they opposed granting bail.
It is rare for illegal immigrants to be granted bail, especially when charged with serious crimes, said Alan L. Zegas, a noted New Jersey defense lawyer.
"The level of risk of flight increases exponentially when a person is not a citizen of this country and has few, if any, roots here," Zegas said.
On Friday, Carranza, who lives in nearby Orange, could barely be heard in the courtroom, as Booker and relatives of the victims looked on. Carranza wore an orange prison jumpsuit and was handcuffed in front of his body. He stared at the judge and glanced at his lawyer.
State Superior Court Judge Michael R. Casale continued the $1 million bail and ordered that Carranza be held apart from other inmates at the Essex County Jail for his protection.
Carranza's lawyer, Felix Lopez Montalvo, declined to comment after the 11-minute hearing.
Authorities do not believe the four victims knew the assailants before encountering them Saturday night. Carranza and the teen are not related, Dow said, but she didn't elaborate on how they knew each other. The teen's name was not released because of his age.
The four victims, friends aged 18 to 20, were shot while visiting in a school yard not far from their homes Saturday night. Authorities have said robbery appeared to be the motive.
Terrance Aeriel, 18, Dashon Harvey, 20, and Iofemi Hightower, 20, were forced to kneel against a wall and were shot at close range. The fourth victim, 19-year-old Natasha Aeriel, Terrance Aeriel's sister, survived a wound to her head and is hospitalized.
Despite being under sedation for periods of time, Natasha Aeriel was able to help authorities identify the suspects, the mayor said.
Officials said fingerprints on a bottle found at the shooting scene and ballistics evidence tied Carranza to the crime.
Carranza and the teen were charged with three counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and other charges.
Police Director Garry F. McCarthy declined say if authorities had determined who fired shots and what kind of weapon or weapons were used.
All four victims were planning to attend Delaware State University this fall. Instead, three will be buried Saturday.
theres video in the link
http://cbs3.com/local/local_story_220085835.html
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KINGFEAR62
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for real man, shit sounds good to me.KINGFEAR62 wrote:Even if nj has the death penelty he will be alive for like 15 more years with appeals and all that kind of stuff if this was china or a arabic country he and those 15 year old kids would have been dead already they should burn him alive or set 2 starving pit bulls on him and shoot the kids
we should have killed him right after that.(AP) NEWARK A suspect in the murder of three students pleaded not guilty Friday as prosecutors tried to explain why the illegal immigrant from Peru was granted bail earlier this year when charged with assault and child rape.
it makes me sick to read the story about how these kids died. if anyone can read this and still be against capital punishment, there is no hope for these people in this society.
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$outhPhillypuppet
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People betta wake up on these racist hispanic gangs and get ready fo that ass if need b.se11 wrote:i'm not sure if anyone is following this case, but the killer is a 28 year old illegal Peruvian immigrant, a 15 year old, and there are two more suspects. he shot four of them execution style in the back of a school.
exactly the kind of person that should be executed. he didn't kill a couple of gangsters, or drug dealers, or thugs. he shot four kids with bright futures because he himself was a piece of shit. and donna jackson couldn't have said it better ""He doesn't deserve another day, another second, while our children are at stake,". he's done. he's blew his chance. life in prison isn't good enough. all this B/S about people change. you don't murder three kids at point blank range and change. the police should have shot him execution style as soon as they got him in custody. i'd execute anyone else involved too. you want to solve newark's murder problem, kill all four of the bastards involved.
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RED EMPORER7
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