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Fingernail DNA may play new role in 1999 murder trial

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An appellate court decision on a hearing about the DNA evidence overruled a previous decision.

BREAST CANCERFile photo of vials of DNA.
 

NEWARK -- A man who was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 1999 murder of his live-in girlfriend has been awarded a hearing that could allow for new DNA evidence in the case.

According to an appellate decision released Thursday, Carlos Alves can have a hearing to determine whether or not DNA from under his girlfriend's fingernails can be used to retry his case. The decision reverses a superior court ruling denying him the hearing.

Alves had argued that the fingernail DNA would show the presence of another person, and possible killer, at the couple's Newark apartment. Alves has denied the state's assertion that he killed his girlfriend, Maria Fernando Lobo, in August of 1999, but was convicted of the crime after a trial in 2001.

A Superior Court judge denied the request for additional DNA considerations, noting that Alves already argued at his trial that there was no DNA at the scene, according to the appellate decision.

Minor crimes could land your DNA in database

"We disagree with the conclusions of the Law Division and we remand for a hearing," the appellate court ruled.

Lobo's body was found on the couch of the couple's apartment on Aug. 14, 1999, wearing the same clothes she was wearing on Aug. 11, the ruling said. The couple had been together on Aug. 11, but Alves left the country and went to Portugal on Aug. 12, and remained there through Aug. 15, the decision said.

Experts disagreed on when exactly the woman died, the decision said.

Whether or not the fingernail evidence will be viable 15 years after the trail remains to be seen.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.


Newark man accused of pointing a gun at a woman during argument, police say

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Kevin Porter, 27, was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon

NEWARK -- A city man has been accused of pulling a gun on a woman during an argument, police said. 

Screen Shot 2016-10-06 at 7.08.40 PM.pngKevin Porter, 27, of Newark 

Kevin Porter, 27, was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said in a release. 

The alleged incident occurred in the city on Huntington Terrace near Renner Avenue, where a 27-year-old woman told police that Porter had pointed the gun at her at about 9 p.m. Wednesday and ran away.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.     

Park Ridge man charged in corporate fraud case faces new tax charges

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Prosecutors say Philip Charles de Gruchy falsely claimed numerous payments kicked back to him as business expenses

 

NEWARK -- A federal grand jury Thursday issued new charges accusing a Park Ridge man prosecutors say helped defraud two international companies, of filing false international and corporate tax returns.

The superseding six counts accuse Philip Charles de Gruchy of stiffing the government of more than $800,000 in taxes by understating his personal taxable income and that of companies he controlled, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Authorities say de Gruchy was able to reduce his companies' stated taxable income by falsely claiming as business expenses payments that were kicked back to him.

 

de Gruchy, 63, was first charged in 2014 and later indicted in February 2016 along with Barbara Brown, 66, also of Park Ridge. Prosecutors say the two billed more than $3 million in fraudulent invoices for phony marketing work to Brown's employers at the time -- an unspecified toy company in Wayne -- and directed the funds to a company she and de Gruchy secretly controlled.

The couple allegedly scored another $216,000 from de Gruchy's employer at the time -- a South Plainfield suitcase manufacturer -- when the company hired Brown as a contractor without de Gruchy disclosing their relationship. Brown's work at that company was also "unnecessary, worthless or never completed," prosecutors say.

The original counts of mail fraud and substantive mail fraud carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while each count of filing a false tax return could fetch up to three years, prosecutors say.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

13 bold predictions for Week 5 of the high school football season

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NJ.com's high school football reporters break out their predictions for the weekend ahead.

U.S. attorney general to discuss community policing in Newark

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Attorney General Loretta Lynch will hold a forum to mark National Community Policing Week.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch is heading to Newark on Friday for a forum on community policing, the subject of President Barack Obama's trip to Camden last year.

The forum will be the last in a series to commemorate National Community Policing Week, which Obama designated in the wake of a series of deadly confrontations between police and black men and attacks on law enforcement such as the killing of five Dallas officers in July.

The idea behind the events is to focus on improving relations between police and the communities they protect. In May 2015, Obama traveled to Camden and called the city "a symbol of promise" for the improvements made in bringing down the crime rate and working to build trust between police and residents. 

Obama uses Camden as backdrop

Lynch is to be joined by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman; Assistant Attorney General Karol Mason of the Office of Justice Programs; Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division; and Ronald Davis, director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

The issue of police-community relations was discussed during Tuesday's vice-presidential debate.

"You build the bonds between the community and the police force, build bonds of understanding, and then when people feel comfortable in their communities, that gap between the police and the communities they serve narrows," said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democratic nominee. "And when that gap narrows, it's safer for the communities and it's safer for the police."

The Republican vice-presidential nominee, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, said Donald Trump would "restore law and order to the cities and communities in this nation" and criticized "the bad mouthing that comes from people that seize upon tragedy in the wake of police action shootings as a reason to use a broad brush to accuse law enforcement of implicit bias or institutional racism."

Essex County's sheriff's office and the communities of Orange and East Orange are receiving $4.7 million in federal funds from the Justice Department to hire 32 new officers to improve community policing. Newark is in Essex County.

"When we deepen positive relationships through community policing principles --built on trust and mutual respect -- our communities are better served and better protected," said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).  

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook

 

Halloween clown costumes banned at school

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In light of a rash of creepy clown social media threats, one N.J. district is preemptively disallowing the previously popular costumes this Halloween.

MONTCLAIR -- Picking out a Halloween costume for school? Steer clear of the clown costumes that have caused a ruckus across the state recently.

At least one New Jersey school district has banned clown costumes this Halloween in light of a rash of creepy clown scares, threats, and attacks that have been popping up across the country.

In a notice addressing the clown issues posted on the district website, Montclair Interim Superintendent Ron Bolandi both assured parents that the school system is working with local police to ensure safety, and asked them to downplay the Halloween-clown connection with their kids.

6 things to know about killer clown threats

"With Halloween just a few weeks away, I am asking for your cooperation in not allowing your children to dress up as clowns at any school event due to the possible disruption and fear it may cause," Bolandi said in the notice.

"If anyone shows up with a clown related costume, they will be asked to change or sent home."

Other towns have taken similar measures. In a Facebook post earlier this week, the Roselle Park police urged parents not to allow their children to dress up as clowns this year.

The "killer clown" phenomenon started in South Carolina this August, and has spread quickly throughout the country, especially via social media.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Opening statements set for Wednesday in jewelry store murder trial

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Jury selection was completed yesterday afternoon for the murder trial of a Bloomfield man accused of gunning down a Kearny jewelry store owner inside his Kearny Avenue store.

JERSEY CITY -- Jury selection was completed yesterday afternoon for the murder trial of a Bloomfield man accused of gunning down a Kearny jewelry store owner inside his store in 2009.

John DeRosa, 58, is charged with fatally shooting Xavier Egoavil, 47, of Kearny, on Aug. 18, 2009 as the victim's horrified mother looked on. Egoavil was killed during a robbery at his Rachel Jewelers store on Kearny Avenue at 8:45 a.m.

Opening statements by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Rinaldi and defense attorney Scott Finkenauer are slated for Wednesday before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre. 

DeRosa faces up to life in prison if convicted of murder.

The prosecution alleges that when two men entered the store and announced a robbery, Egoavil scuffled with the gunman, who opened fire and struck him in the head, back, thigh and chest. The robbers then stole jewelry and ran to a getaway car. DeRosa is charged as the gunman.

The accused getaway driver, Elvis Feratovic, 30, of Bloomfield, was charged with felony murder, but pleaded guilty to robbery and agreed to testify against DeRosa.

Edmir Sokoli, 29, of Bloomfield, was also charged with felony murder and pleaded guilty to robbery. He too agreed to testify against DeRosa, the prosecution said.

Egoavil was survived by his wife, Gina, and two children: a son who was 10 years old at the time and a daughter who was 6.

At a pretrial hearing in November, DeRosa said he was contemplating representing himself due to the delay in getting his day in court. But the judge noted that he did not cooperate with his first attorney and did not get along with his second attorney. The judge said DeRosa's third attorney was overwhelmed at his practice and had to give up the case, while his fourth lawyer became a judge.

The prosecution alleges that after the shooting and robbery, DeRosa and Sokoli ran around the corner to where Feratovic was waiting in the getaway car. The robbery was captured on the jewelry store's security video system, and other security cameras also captured aspects of the crime and the getaway car, officials said.

Investigators got a break in the case when Kearny police received a tip that the alleged getaway car was being worked on at a Passaic County auto repair shop to alter its appearance, officials said.

DeRosa has already done prison time for a 1987 manslaughter in Essex County and he has had contacts with the justice system going back as far as 1970, state corrections records indicate.

Girls cross-country: NJ.com runner rankings for Friday, Oct. 7


Glimpse of History: The beat went on for nearly 50 years

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EAST ORANGE — Drummer William Randolph "Cozy" Cole was born in East Orange on Oct. 17, 1909. According to drummerworld.com, he was "a lifelong student of the drums" who studied at Juilliard in the mid-1940s and with the New York Philharmonic's Saul Goodman. In the mid-1950s, he opened a drum school in New York with Gene Krupa. Cole, who...

EAST ORANGE -- Drummer William Randolph "Cozy" Cole was born in East Orange on Oct. 17, 1909.

According to drummerworld.com, he was "a lifelong student of the drums" who studied at Juilliard in the mid-1940s and with the New York Philharmonic's Saul Goodman.

In the mid-1950s, he opened a drum school in New York with Gene Krupa. Cole, who played with Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton and Louis Armstrong, died in 1981.

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to essex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries Thursdays on nj.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

Gallery preview 

Where to eat now in N.J.: The 10 hottest restaurants for October

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A re-opened Jersey Shore icon, a highly-touted BBQ joint, fine Italian comfort food in Montclair, and a Chinese-American fusion restaurant are some of the highlights of our 10 best New Jersey eateries for October

Welcome to NJ.com's monthly feature, "Where to eat now in N.J.," highlighting the most exciting restaurants of the moment, including places new to the scene and ones that have been here a while but are still firing on all burners. If you'd like to recommend a restaurant to be considered for a spot on a future "Where to eat now in N.J." list, let us know in the comments section below, or e-mail: bodkinwrites@gmail.com.


THREE IN ONE: Inman Avenue in Colonia, littered with fast food restaurants, pizzerias, and take-out joints, has never been known as a bastion for culinary excellence. Three in One changes all of that. The "wok, grill and bar" combines everything you love about a Chinese restaurant, and combines it with the menu and vibe of an all-American bar and grill. You can sit down and order wonton soup, dumplings, chicken chow mein, or General Tso's chicken while the person next to you chows down on a plate of wings, a burger with an egg and bacon on top, or seared Atlantic salmon. The menu sports a "Love of Bacon" section that includes bacon and egg-fried rice, butterfly shrimp with bacon and bacon-wrapped filet mignon on a stick. Speaking of "on a stick," there is a section of the menu dedicated to skewered dishes such as shrimp, steak and chicken kabobs. On Tuesday and Wednesday Three in One does a full Chinese take-out menu. 616 Inman Avenue, Colonia. 732-382-7868.


super-bowl-party-foodGiant Bavarian pretzels with mustard and liptauer, a seasoned cheese spread, at Pilsener Haus & Biergarten in Hoboken. 

PILSENER HAUS AND BIERGARTEN: You cannot talk about food in the month of October without bringing up Oktoberfest. The Pilsener Haus in Hoboken (the sister restaurant of the Asbury Festhalle) is celebrating its fifth Oktoberfest with a number of special events and a handcrafted menu (available until Oct. 23) by chef Martin Schaub. The menu includes roast suckling pig, Schweinsaxen (roasted pork shank for two), wurst salad made with bier sausage and Emmentaler cheese, and cream of cauliflower soup. You can also get your Bavarian on by chowing down on Mitteleuropean dishes off the everyday menu such as Hungarian beef goulash ($17), sauerbraten ($19), or smoked kielbasa ($11). For those looking to just hoist a stein and not take a chance on Austro-Hungarian fare, there's plenty of burgers, steaks and seafood as well. 1422 Grand Street, Hoboken. 201-683-5465.


THE LOVIN' OVEN: The Lovin' Oven is one of the "don't judge a book by its cover" restaurants. On its surface, the Oven seems like a quaint family-style restaurant that's simply meat and potatoes. But if you dive into the menu, you'll find outside-the-box thinking combined with down-home comfort food and mouthwatering desserts made on premises. Take breakfast for example -- you can get your classic pancakes ($11-$12), but you can also find New Orleans shrimp and grits ($12.50). Throughout the day you can find delectable dishes such as roasted spiced chickpea tacos ($13), a local cheese board ($15), eggplant caponata ($18), and, from the weekend farm-to-table menu, lobster pot pie ($28) or a fresh fig salad ($12). The menu here does change with the season, so keep checking for updates and tweaks. 62 Trenton Ave, Frenchtown. 908-996-7714.

RED, WHITE & QUE SMOKEHOUSE: Red, White, and Que Smokehouse has received a tremendous accolades in 2016. In May we named it one of the top 10 best barbecue houses in New Jersey, and last month the popular food/travel/drink website Thrillist, named Red, White, and Que the best barbecue joint in the entire state. Owned and operated by a former Marine, the restaurant prides itself on "represent[ing] a rebellious spirit while still holding fast to old school American traditions." The menu sports an array of succulent delights -- Carolina pulled pork ($5-$18), St. Louis-cut ribs ($8-$16) and the "BBQ Sundae" ($12), in which the meat of your choice is heaped atop baked beans and topped with coleslaw and pickles, all served in a Mason jar. 266 Davis Ave, Kearny. 201-998-2271.


ROMANO'S DISCO FRIES: Go to any event in New Jersey, and you're bound to find a food truck. The sheer number of trucks in this state is mind-boggling, but it's also pretty awesome. Why? Because it allows for trucks such as Romano's Disco Fries to exist. The truck's motto is "It's a Jersey Thing," and that couldn't be more accurate. Cheese and gravy-smothered French fries are inherently a Jersey thing, but the food truck offers intriguing variations, such as Buffalo chicken fries and meatball parm fries. The truck also serves corn fritters, nachos, pulled pork and fish tacos. 732-477-1564.

mushroom stack.jpgThe mushroom stack at the newly relaunched Morris Tap & Grill in Randolph.  

MORRIS TAP AND GRILL: This month, chef Eric LeVine's Morris Tap and Grill relaunched the restaurant with the unveiling of a brand new bar area with 50 beers on tap. The relaunch also includes the rollout of a new street food-inspired menu, including a variety of mac and cheese bowls, sweet and spicy duck legs, pork sticks with ginger scallion glaze, soup buns, and cheddar beer dip with pretzel chips. Outside of the additions, the menu sports "rustic pizzettas" ($12-$14), an eclectic burger menu ($12.50-$17), and entrees such as chicken roulade ($18), lobster ravioli ($18), and BBQ ribs ($26). 500 State Route 10, Randolph. 973-891-1776.


SURF TACO: The mantra of "good food, good vibes, and good people" sojourns north, as the legendary Jersey Shore taco restaurant comes to Rutgers University. Surf Taco New Brunswick (the restaurant's first non-Shore location) opened in September at The Yard on College Avenue. The Yard is a sprawling residential and commercial space that also sports a 25,000-square-foot public green space that broadcasts Rutgers sports on a Jumbotron. Alumni will remember this location as the home of the Grease Trucks. You can find all the Surf Taco favorites, including the Buffalo Soldier (breaded chicken smothered in spicy Buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing) and the Aloha Wrap (teriyaki chicken, sesame seeds, pineapple, jack and cheddar). 97 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick. 732-214-0528.

NOCE 77 RISTORANTE: Montclair is an oasis of culinary excellence, with offerings that span the globe.Yet with all these choices, sometimes you really just want a great, classic red sauce dinner, the kind you could find at an Italian grandmother's house on a Sunday. Noce 77 is a purveyor of this type of classic Italian comfort food. But don't let the "classic" nature of their cuisine fool you -- everything prepared here is done at the absolute highest level. Highlights of the menu include  homemade meatballs over a creamy risotto ($13), house pappardelle with lamb Bolognese and melted goat cheese ($21), lobster ravioli with shrimp ($24), and capellini di mare with shrimp, mussels, calamari, and crabmeat ($24). 77 Walnut St, Montclair. 973-233-1019.


MCLOONE'S RUM RUNNER: For 25 years McLoone's Rum Runner was a landmark Jersey Shore establishment. It was a restaurant, a nightspot and a popular wedding venue. Sadly, during Hurricane Sandy the Rum Runner was severely damaged and forced to shut its doors for nearly four years. This summer, the Rum Runner made its glorious return to the Shore dining scene. From a visual standpoint, throw out everything you remember about the old restaurant, because what has been erected in its stead is one of the most impressive new restaurants in the region. The menu here is classic McLoone's -- small plates featuring crab cakes ($14.50) and fish tacos ($17) and large plates such as bronzed swordfish ($28), a flat iron steak ($27.50) and local sea scallops ($29.95). 816 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright. 732-842-2894.


RED STORE: The Red Store may look like a general store ripped from the pages of the history books, but it's actually a multi-faceted eatery owned and helmed by James Beard nominee Lucas Manteca. Manteca has taken notes from his South American heritage and fused it with the traditional style of American restaurant one could find in a shore town such as Cape May Point. His menu (which is updated seasonally) currently includes Barnegat scallops ($31), monkfish ($32), Green Goddess empanadas ($9), and fluke crudo ($16). There's also a brunch menu where you can grab the traditional omelette ($11-$18) or go for something more unusual, such as the Red Store pancake (crab, corn, roasted poblano pepper and feta cheese pancakes with arugula, creme fraiche and bacon, $15) 500 Cape May Point, Cape May Point. 609-884-5757.

Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.

Football Week 5 mega-coverage guide: Everything you need for the games

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A look at Week 5's complete coverage.

Below is NJ.com's high school football mega-coverage guide, your one-stop shop for everything you need to get ready for Week 5. Check back throughout the week as the page gets filled with new links and stories. 

WEEK 5 CONFERENCE SCHEDULES/SCOREBOARDS
Pages automatically update with links as scores come in
Greater Middlesex Conference
North Jersey Super Football Conference
North Jersey Interscholastic Conference
Mid-State 38
Shore Conference
West Jersey Football League


TOP VIDEOS: See or record something great this week? Let us know


WEEK 5 ESSENTIALS
Friday: LIVE updates, results & links
Saturday: LIVE updates, results & links
Bold Predictions for Week 5
15 can't-miss games in Week 5
Statewide group and conference rankings
Statewide stat leaders through Week 4
How did N.J. alums fare in Week 4 of the NFL | NCAA
Top 20 for Sept. 25


VOTE: Who is the best offensive playmaker in every conference?


WEEK 5 PICKS 
Top 20 picks
Picks by conference
Quick picks: Every game in N.J.

TOP FEATURES 
Out of the shadows: The 25 best N.J. players nobody knows
What we learned from around the state
3 players added to Player of the Year watch

Watch and vote for the top plays in N.J. 
Who has N.J.'s best student section? Regional quarterfinalists are set
VOTE for the top offensive playmaker in each football conference

GAMES OF THE WEEK 
Star-Ledger: Union at Westfield
Trenton Times: Ewing at Lawrence
South Jersey Times: Gloucester at Schalick

SELECT GAME PREVIEWS
11 players to watch in No. 1 St. Joseph (Mont.) at No. 11 Don Bosco Prep

OTHER MUST-READ STORIES 
Bergen Rewind: Top 20 stories from September
Jabrill Peppers 'as good as there is' in 20-year career of Rutgers coach Chris Ash
Hunterdon County football notebook: Call North Hunterdon the Road Dogs
Allentown football looking to bring complete effort against Pemberton
Paul VI football coach Phil Brunozzi resigns 4 games into tenure

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Retired Belleville firefighter settles breach of contract, retaliation suit

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Peter Coppola says he was never paid for 283 hours of overtime he worked decades before

BELLEVILLE -- A retired Belleville firefighter settled his breach of contract and retaliation lawsuit against the township for $25,000.

14556_121283441368634_1737255953_n.jpgA retired Belleville firefighter settled his retaliation lawsuit for $25,000. 

Peter Coppola sued the township arguing he had a contractual agreement to compensate him for 283 unpaid hours of overtime he worked decades ago.

News of the settlement was first reported by NJ Civil Settlements, which provided a list of settlements paid by New Jersey government agencies and their insurers to those who have sued them.

Coppola says that when asked about the back pay owed to him prior to his 2010 retirement, the township manager told him the municipality didn't have the money.

Three years later Coppola was hired as a part-time mechanic for Belleville. But four days after he began, he alleges he was told him "the powers that be" demanded he vacate his claim for the unpaid work if he wanted to keep the new gig, according to the lawsuit.

Coppola, who spent 25 years as a firefighter in town, says he was fired a few days later, the lawsuit said.

When he filed the suit, Coppola said he suffered "economic damages and emotional distress" of greater than $100,000.

The suit was settled on April 24.

Coppola got $18,500 and his attorney received the rest.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

7-year-old's death ruled homicide, mother and her boyfriend charged

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The Newark couple is facing additional charges in the alleged beating death.

Screen Shot 2016-10-03 at 4.53.47 PM.pngSpearman and Rawls. (Courtesy Essex County Prosecutor's Office)
 

NEWARK -- A mother and her boyfriend have been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of the woman's 7-year-old son, authorities announced Friday.

Khadejrah Rawls, 28, and her live-in boyfriend Christopher Spearman, 29, were charged Friday after a medical examiner ruled Michael Moore Jr.'s death a homicide, caused by multiple blunt impact injuries, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced in a release.

The charges are on top of assault and endangering the welfare of a child charges that were filed against the couple earlier this week.

Police responded to the couple's North Munn Avenue home on Oct. 2 at 9:54 a.m. on a report of an unresponsive child, officials said. Moore was transported to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:36 a.m., authorities said.

Four other children, all younger than Moore, and three pit bull puppies, were also removed from the home. Authorities said the children have been placed with the state Child Protection and Permanency.

Bail is set at $750,000 for Rawls and $1 million for Spearman. 

The investigation into the boy's death is continuing, authorities said. Anyone with information is asked to call 877-847-7432.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Elizabeth man gets more than 3 years for bank robbery spree

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In addition to the three robberies he pleaded guilty to, Jason Novello admitted to seven others throughout the state

PlainfieldRobber.jpgAn artist's rendering of the suspect in a 2014 bank robbery in North Plainfield. Jason Novello later pleaded guilty to the crime. 
NEWARK -- An Elizabeth man who admitted to committing 10 bank robberies over a two-year period was sentenced Wednesday to more than three years in federal prison.

Jason Novello previously had pleaded guilty in April to the Oct. 3, 2013 robbery of the Investors Savings Bank in Elizabeth, the Jan. 25, 2014 robbery of the Capital One Bank in North Plainfield and the May 1, 2014 robbery of the Rahway Savings Institute in Colonia.

Novello made off with $11,456 in those robberies alone, authorities said.

In exchange for Novello pleading guilty to those robberies, federal prosecutors agreed not to seek convictions for seven other robberies he also admitted to committing between August 2013 and April 2014, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in Newark.

Novello was arrested after law enforcement officers investigating the May 2014 robbery in Colonia tracked the suspect's blue Hyundai Elantra to a home in Elizabeth, according to a criminal complaint filed by an FBI agent.

Investigators stopped the car and found Novello at the wheel, wearing the same clothes the suspect was seen wearing on footage from the bank's surveillance camera. Also inside the car was $4,442 in cash, including two marked "bait bills" handed over by the teller. 

In addition to a three-year, eight-month prison term, Novello was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay more than $23,000 in restitution for the robberies, court records show.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Man charged with strangulation of East Orange woman 15 years after crime

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Andrea Ligons, 31, of East Orange, was found dead in the basement of her North Arlington Avenue apartment building Nov. 8, 2001, authorities said.

Calvin JohnsonCalvin Johnson (Photo: Essex County Prosecutor's Office) 
NEWARK -- Nearly 15 years after an East Orange woman was found strangled to death in the basement of her building, a state prison inmate was charged in the slaying, Essex County prosecutors announced Friday.

Calvin Johnson, who also goes by Tione J. Johnson, of Newark, was indicted for the Nov. 8, 2001 murder of Andrea Ligons, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray's office. Ligons, 31, was discovered slain in the basement of the North Arlington Avenue apartment building where she lived at the time.

"In Essex County, a homicide case is never closed until after we have made an arrest and the case has been prosecuted," Murray said in a statement. "We were able to bring these charges, nearly 15 years after the homicide occurred, because of the outstanding work of our cold case team."

2 indicted on murder charges in killing of NJIT student

Forensic evidence linked Johnson to the killing, according to the prosecutor's office. An agency spokeswoman declined to provide details on the evidence except for saying that it tied Johnson to the murder.

State prison records show Johnson, 58, who was jailed as Tione, has a criminal history for offenses, including robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault and weapons possession. Those charges are unrelated to the killing, authorities said.

He was most recently incarcerated Sept. 19 for robbery, according to the state Department of Corrections.

Johnson was indicted Sept. 30 and ordered held in lieu of $750,000 bail, officials said. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Essex County Superior Court on Oct. 17.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahycFind NJ.com on Facebook.


Attorney General ends national 'justice' tour in Newark

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The initiative worked with local residents to develop community policing concepts.

NEWARK -- At the U.S. Attorney General's last stop on a week-long, nationwide tour, she told the people of Newark to come up with community policing policies that "can serve as a model for jurisdictions across the nation."

Attorney General Loretta Lynch was in the city Friday to meet with local law enforcement officers, government leaders, and residents to discuss ideas that can be implemented to improve relationships between cities and police.

Q&A: Are Newark police reforming?

"None of us has any illusions that we will solve these problems overnight," Lynch said  in a statement about Friday's forum, referring to issues that have led to police-involved shootings across the nation.

"We all have a stake in the well-being of our neighborhoods, and if we remind ourselves of this basic bond...I am certain that we can and will make lasting and widespread progress, not just here in Newark, but in communities throughout the United States."

The visit to Newark was the last stop on Lynch's tour of several U.S. cities this week, part of President Barack Obama's "National Community Policing Week." The U.S. Justice Department held the so-called "Justice Forums" in cities like Indianapolis and Pittsburgh to discuss policing ideas that will later be implemented.

Newark's police force, which is currently under a federal monitor imposed by the Justice Department, took part in this final leg of the trip. The stop came about a week after six city police officers were involved in the fatal shootings of two teenagers accused of committing a string of robberies.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Authorities probe violent car wreck after Hillside police chase

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Three vehicles involved in crash after pursuit from Hillside, according to authorities.

NEWARK -- A police chase that began in Hillside ended when the vehicle crashed at a Newark intersection Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The crash involving three vehicles occurred at Bergen Street and Pomona Avenue. One silver SUV on the front lawn of a house was badly damaged. Another car on the street nearby had major damage to its front, and witnesses at the scene said a woman and a baby were in that car when the crash occurred.

Police were investigating if the wrecked SUV was the same Toyota Highlander that was stolen earlier Friday in Hillside, according to law enforcement sources. One person in the SUV suffered serious injuries and two others were taken into custody.

2 indicted on murder charges in killing of NJIT student

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office was investigating the Newark incident, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly confirmed. Additional details were not immediately available.

A Hillside police spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment Friday.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahycFind NJ.com on Facebook.

Football: Results and links for Friday, Oct. 7, Week 5

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Check out live coverage, results and links for football games being played Friday, Sept. 30 in Week 4 of the high school football season

KEY LINKS
• Schedule/scoreboard: FullBy conference

• Our picks: All games | Top 20
 Picks by conference
Current NJ.com Top 20 | Next 10
Group and conference rankings
Statewide stats leaders

What we learned from around the state
Week 5 mega-coverage guide 
BEST PHOTOS of Week 5

FEATURED GAMES

Hackettstown at Mount Olive PPD by hand-foot-and-mouth

No. 11 Don Bosco Prep 31, No. 1 St. Joseph (Mont.) 14
Complete coverage
Bosco silences doubters
'We've had this in us:' 9 great quotes
Is Bosco No. 1? St. Joe's coach says no

 Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score


TOP VIDEOS: See or record something great this week? Let us know


No. 13 Piscataway 27, Sayreville 21
P'way survives 4th-quarter rally to stay unbeaten
Photo gallery
Box score

No. 18 Somerville 59, Rahway 35
Somerville survives shootout to remain unbeaten
Video: Wilder-to-Anderson TD pass
Look back at live updates
Box score

No. 20 Lenape 17, Rancocas Valley 13
Lenape goes deep in last-minute shocker
 Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score

Hanover Park 36, Mahwah 29
HP wins battle of unbeatens
Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score

Cherry Hill West 28, Camden 22 (OT)
CHW 5-0 after OT win
Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score

Elizabeth 26, Hunterdon Central 7
Minutemen focused on playoffs
Red Devils run out of steam
 Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score

Phillipsburg 42, Watchung Hills 14
Boures, Fisher push Stateliners to easy win
Photo gallery
Box score

Schalick 28, Gloucester 0
Schalick wins with 3rd straight shutout
Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score

Hamilton West 26, Hightstown 17
Hornets overcome slow start
Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score

St. Joseph (Met.) 37, South Plainfield 0
Game recap
Photo gallery
Box score

West Morris 17, Randolph 10
Game recap
Photo gallery
Box score

Clifton 34, North Bergen 22
Game recap
Photo gallery
Box score

Highland 20, Buena 16
Cooey slings it to bring Highland back
Inside Cooey's impressive performance
Photo gallery
Box score

Clearview 41, Paul VI 14
Pioneers roll as Paul VI starts new era
Photo gallery
Box score

Allentown 67, Pemberton 28
Winston gets 450 total yards for A'town
Box score

Nottingham 40, West Windsor South 7
Northstars continue turnaround season
Box score

West Windsor North 18, Northern Burlington 8
• Full staff report
Box score

Pennsville 34, Clayton 20
• Full staff report
Box score

WEEK 5 FEATURES
Out of the shadows: The 25 best players no one knows about
Who has the best student section? Vote in the regional quarterfinals
3 players added to Player of the Year watch

Watch and vote for the top plays in N.J. 
VOTE for the top offensive playmaker in each football conference 

COMPLETE SCOREBOARD

State knew of abuse allegations before Newark boy's death, sources say

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The boy's mother and her live-in boyfriend have both been charged with aggravated manslaughter in his death.

NEWARK -- State child welfare officials were aware of allegations that a 7-year-old Newark boy was abused prior to his death Sunday, NJ Advance Media has learned.

Two sources familiar with the case said at the time of Michael Moore Jr.'s death on Sunday the family was the subject of investigation by the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. 

Child welfare investigators concluded an allegation of abuse had been "established" against the mother's boyfriend, the sources said. The sources spoke on the condition they not be identified.

Michael Moore Jr.'s mother and her live-in boyfriend have since been charged with manslaughter.

court photo.jpegKhadejrah Rawls, 28, and boyfriend Christopher Spearman, 29, were charged in connection with the child's death (Photo: Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

According to the Child Protection and Permanency division's website, the term "established" means that "a preponderance of the evidence has established that a child is an abused or neglected child as defined by statute; but the act or acts committed or omitted do not warrant a finding of substantiation upon consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors." 

On Friday, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said charges against Moore's mother, Khadejrah Rawls, 28, and her boyfriend, Christopher Spearman, 29, had been upgraded to aggravated manslaughter. Michael's injuries were caused by multiple blunt impact injuries, Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced, saying the boy died of "multiple blunt impact injuries."

Previously, Rawls had been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, while Spearman had been charged with endangering and aggravated assault. The two made a court appearance on Thursday on the endangering and assault charges. Her bail was set at $75,000 and his at $100,000.

Newark Police responded to the couple's North Munn Avenue home on Oct. 2, at 9:54 a.m., on a report of an unresponsive child, officials said. Moore was transported to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:36 a.m., authorities said.

Authorities say Rawls has four younger children. The sources said Spearman is the father of the two youngest.

State and federal law requires child welfare agencies to disclose their involvement with a family when a child dies or suffers near-fatal injuries from abuse or neglect.

A spokesman for the child protection agency would not say whether the agency had been aware of the abuse allegations prior to the boy's death.

"We're collecting information to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding Michael Moore, Jr.'s tragic death," the spokesman, Ernest Landante, wrote in an email. 

Asked to clarify his initial response, Landante wrote: "We continue to collect information to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding Michael Moore, Jr.'s tragic death.  In accordance with state and federal laws, we will release any information if and when it is possible."

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

Football: Results and links for Saturday, Oct. 8, Week 5

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Everything you need to keep track of N.J. football action on Saturday.

KEY LINKS
• Schedule/scoreboard: FullBy conference
Look back at Friday's results and links
• Our picks: All games | Top 20
Current NJ.com Top 20 | Next 10
Week 5 mega-coverage guide 
Central Reg back scores 7 TDs

FEATURED GAMES

Ewing 49, Lawrence 21
Ewing's power jolts previously unbeaten Lawrence
Blue Devils prove their worth
 Photo gallery

Look back at live updates
Box score

Westfield 28, Union 13
Complete coverage
Westfield runs state-high streak to 18

•  Photo gallery
Look back at live updates
Box score


TOP VIDEOS: See or record something great this week? Let us know


Montclair 55, East Orange 10
Explosive O lifts Mounties
Takeaways from Mounties' win
Look back at live updates
Box score

Roxbury 42, Morris Knolls 14
All Gaels in milestone win for Coach Cos
Look back at live updates
Box score

Wayne Valley 22, Northern Highlands 16
• Complete coverage
• Six takeaways from Valley's win
WV hangs on in final seconds to secure win

Video: Watch WV's winning goal-line stand
Look back at live updates
Box score

Snyder 51, Tenafly 0
Jahleel Baker throws 5 TDs in blowout
Box score

Hasbrouck Heights 48, Saddle Brook 14
Game recap
Photo gallery
Box score

Woodrow Wilson 20, Moorestown 0
Game recap
•  Photo gallery
Box score

Lakewood 30, Lacey 22
Game recap
•  Photo gallery
Box score

Trenton 41, Notre Dame 0
Tornadoes roll past struggling Irish
•  Photo gallery
Box score

Penns Grove 22, Glassboro 18
Grovers plow through Glassboro
•  Photo gallery
Box score

Steinert 55, Princeton 16
Steinert rolls past Princeton
Box score

Hun 35, Blair Academy 0
Raiders win 17th straight with shutout
Box score

WEEK 5 FEATURES
Out of the shadows: The 25 best players no one knows about
Who has the best student section? Vote in the regional quarterfinals
3 players added to Player of the Year watch

Watch and vote for the top plays in N.J. 
VOTE for the top offensive playmaker in each football conference 

Braulio Perez may be reached at bperez@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BraulioEPerez.

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