Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Ronald Smith, 29, of Irvington of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Bruce Miles, Jr.,27, also of Irvington.
Following a four-day trial before the Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury convicted Smith today of passion provocation manslaughter.
He was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Shaughnessy, who tried the case, the two were attending a barbecue celebrating the defendant’s daughter’s graduation from pre-school when the two got into a fistfight.
Miles was friends with the mother of defendant’s daughter.
Smith went to his car and obtained a handgun and came back and shot Miles.
Following the verdict, Judge Sules revoked Smith’s bail.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 1. Smith faces 5 to 10 years for the manslaughter and 5 to 10 years on the possession of a weapon.