Accomplice in brutal 2007 triple murder says 30-year sentence is excessive
TRENTON -- The state Supreme Court on Wednesday announced it would not hear an appeal from a man who pleaded guilty in a vicious Newark schoolyard killing.
The state's highest court denied a request from Shahid Baskerville to review his appeal, which claims his 30 year sentence for his role in the 2007 triple murder was excessive.
Baskerville was one of six young men who authorities said shot and slashed four victims on the grounds of Mount Vernon School, a brutal attack that shocked the city and drew national attention to Newark's crime problem.
RELATED: Admitted accomplice in Newark schoolyard triple slaying gets 30-year prison term
Three men -- Terrance Aeriel, Iofemi Hightower and Dashon Harvey -- were lined up against a wall in the school's courtyard and shot in the back of the head. Terrance's sister, Natasha Aeriel, was sexually assaulted and shot in the head, but survived the attack and went on to testify against her assailants.
Baskerville, who was 15 at the time of the murders, received 30 years in 2011 after agreeing to testify against his codefendants, who received multiple life sentences.
RELATED: Court rejects appeal in Newark schoolyard killings
As part of the deal, Baskerville pleaded guilty to robbery, conspiracy and aggravated sexual contact charges. But he later appealed that sentence, claiming he shouldn't have been tried as an adult.
An appeals panel in May rejected his claims, finding "no abuse of discretion in the judge's findings and analysis or in the sentence imposed."
S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
