Eddie Roberson gunned down Talif Crowley on a Newark street in February 2013 after losing a $700 bet over Super Bowl XLVII, authorities said
NEWARK -- When the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013, Eddie Roberson lost a $700 bet with his longtime friend, Talif Crowley, over which team would win the game.
Two days later, Roberson remained angry over losing the bet and shot Crowley six times on a Newark street, ultimately killing him, authorities said.
On the third anniversary of the killing, Roberson was sentenced on Friday to life in prison after being convicted by a jury on Dec. 16 of murder and weapons offenses in the shooting death of Crowley, 38, of Bloomfield.
"I'm glad he got what he got," Crowley's mother, Audrey Crowley, later said outside the courtroom. "He deserve every bit of it and more."
When he handed down the life sentence, Superior Court Judge Alfonse Cifelli noted the "brazen and cold-blooded" nature of the crime and said "this casual murder of a longtime friend" indicates the risk of Roberson committing another offense.
The judge also pointed to "the necessity to protect the general public from Mr. Roberson's activities."
Cifelli said Roberson "has expressed absolutely no remorse for his actions" and "continues to refuse to accept responsibility for the death of Mr. Crowley."
The life sentence equates to 75 years in state prison and Roberson, 31, of Newark, must serve nearly 64 years before becoming eligible for parole. Roberson will receive credit for almost three years of time served.
During Friday's hearing, Roberson stood up and turned around to face Crowley's family members who were sitting in the courtroom. Roberson said he was sorry for their loss, but maintained he was "still not the one" who killed Crowley.
"I do feel for y'all loss," Roberson said.
But after Roberson sat down, Crowley's cousin, Tawanda Smith, stepped to the front of the courtroom and said she hopes Roberson will think about how Crowley's five children no longer have a father.
Smith also told Roberson she prays that "God have mercy on you."
"I don't hate you," Smith said. "I don't know why you did what you did."
Cifelli issued the sentence after denying Roberson's motion for a new trial and granting the state's motion for an extended prison term based on Roberson's prior criminal record, which includes seven convictions on indictable offenses.
In denying the motion for a new trial, the judge said the evidence of Roberson's guilt was "overwhelming and compelling," including the testimony of two witnesses who identified him as the shooter.
After Friday's hearing, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Adam Wells, who tried the case, said Roberson and Crowley had made the bet while attending a Super Bowl party over which team would win the game. Roberson picked the 49ers and Crowley selected the Ravens, Wells said. The Ravens won the game by a 34-31 score, but Roberson never paid up after losing the bet, authorities said.
Two days later, Crowley was driving to his mother's home when he spotted Roberson and two other individuals on Goodwin Avenue in Newark, Wells said. After Crowley got out of the vehicle, Roberson confronted him and apparently expressed his anger over losing the bet, Wells said.
One witness recalled hearing Roberson say to Crowley that "they cheated my team" moments before Roberson opened fire, Wells said. When Crowley extended his hand to shake Roberson's hand, Roberson pulled out the gun and started shooting, Wells said.
"Losing the bet seemed to be the motive," Wells said.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.