Tyrique Spruell, 24, of Newark, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with the Sept. 13, 2012 robbery when Jamil Bader Jr., 18, was killed
NEWARK -- A Newark man has admitted to acting as the getaway driver in 2012 while his alleged accomplice robbed a city grocery store and fatally shot a teenage boy who was trying to stop the robbery at his family's business.
Tyrique Spruell, 24, pleaded guilty on Nov. 9 to conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with the Sept. 13, 2012 robbery that left 18-year-old city resident Jamil Bader Jr. dead. The incident occurred at Jamil & Sons Family Grocery on Clinton Avenue, which was owned by Bader's family, authorities said.
Spruell was the getaway driver, and he never got out of the vehicle during the robbery, according to Katherine Carter, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors are recommending a seven-year prison sentence for Spruell, Carter said. Spruell would have to serve nearly six years before becoming eligible for parole.
Tyrique Spruell Spruell also was charged with robbery, murder, felony murder and weapons offenses, but those charges will be dismissed as part of the plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11 before Superior Court Judge Verna Leath.
Spruell was sentenced on July 9 to five years in state prison on aggravated assault and theft charges in an unrelated case.
The case is still pending against Spruell's co-defendant, Eugene Walker, 19, of Newark, who was the alleged shooter during the robbery. Walker was 16 years old at the time of the incident, and he was later waived up to adult court.
Walker also was charged with robbing a bodega on Aug. 14, 2012, authorities said. He was scheduled to go on trial in that case when he pleaded guilty on March 4, 2014 to robbery and related offenses.
Walker was then sentenced on May 8, 2014 to a 16-year prison term. He must serve nearly 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.
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The day after Bader's killing, residents of the neighborhood surrounding the grocery store said the Bader family would give customers a break on food and other items, particularly at the end of the month when money is tight.
Bader, who also had a young son, was described by family and friends as respectful and caring.
"We never did anything wrong to anybody," his father, Jamil Bader Sr., said at the time. "He was my son, my friend, my partner. ... He helped everybody in the community, whether they were in a good situation or a bad situation."
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.