Rashi Finch, 21, of Irvington, and Tarik Ford, 21, of East Orange, have pleaded guilty to charges related to the March 29, 2013 killing of Craig Pinckney, Jr. in East Orange
NEWARK -- Two men have pleaded guilty to their roles in the fatal shooting of a man in March 2013 before leading police on a chase through four Essex County towns.
Rashi Finch, 21, of Irvington, and Tarik Ford, 21, of East Orange, pleaded guilty on Sept. 9 to charges related to the March 29, 2013 shooting of Craig Pinckney, Jr. in East Orange.
Finch admitted to fatally shooting Pinckney after the parties got into a struggle on Springdale Avenue, according to Katherine Carter, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Pinckney later died from his injuries, she said.
Finch pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon, and Ford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Under plea deals, prosecutors are recommending that Finch and Ford receive prison sentences of seven and five years, respectively, Carter said. Both men would have to serve certain minimum amounts before becoming eligible for parole.
Their sentencings are scheduled for Oct. 20 before Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler.
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An East Orange police officer was driving a patrol vehicle on North Maple Avenue towards Springdale Avenue at around 5 p.m. when he heard shots being fired in the area of Springdale and Roosevelt Avenues, according to Carter.
When the officer approached the scene, he saw Finch and Ford running away from Pinckney, who was laying on the ground in front of 267 Springdale Avenue with apparent gunshot wounds, Carter said.
The two men ran to a Saturn that was parked in front of 10 Roosevelt Avenue, Carter said. The officer activated his lights and sirens to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle sped off, Carter said.
The officer chased the vehicle throughout East Orange, Irvington and Newark before entering the Garden State Parkway and then Interstate 280 West, Carter said.
The vehicle ultimately stopped near exit 8 on Interstate 280 West in West Orange, Carter said. Finch, Ford and the driver of the vehicle, Rondell Riddle, were taken into custody, Carter said.
Riddle has been charged with eluding offenses. His case is still pending.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
