By: Richard L. Smith
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Andre Murrill, 39, of East Orange, of attempted murder for purposely hitting the mother of his children with a car during an argument, causing her serious injuries.
Officials said following a four-week trial before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court, Murill was also found guilty of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Murrill and the victim had ended their relationship but continued to co-parent the children they had in common.
According to Essex County officials, on November 8, 2020, the pair got into an argument inside his East Orange apartment, where shots were fired.
Ultimately, the two continued the argument in front of the apartment building when Murrill got into his vehicle and purposefully drove it over the sidewalk and onto the lawn, striking the victim as she was on the phone with the police.
The victim was transported to University Hospital, where she was treated for multiple injuries.
Sentencing has been scheduled for February 6, 2023. Murrill faces a minimum of 10 years in state prison.
Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
“The victim waited two long years to get justice for what happened to her,” said Assistant Prosecutor Michael Burke, who tried the case. “This verdict would not have been possible without the victim and eyewitnesses agreeing to testify.”