The Honorable Patrick Arre, J.S.C. sentenced Andrew Howard-French, 29, of Jersey City, to life in state prison for the 2018 murder of 23-month-old Bryce Sparrow in Jersey City.
Official say the life sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act which requires that Howard-French will have to serve 85 percent of 75 years — or 63 years and 9 months — before he is eligible for parole.
Howard-French was also sentenced to five years in state prison for endangering an injured victim to run consecutive to the life sentence. On the count of endangering the welfare of a child, Howard-French was sentenced to 10 years in state prison to run concurrent to the life sentence.
Officials say Howard-French was found guilty of these crimes by a Hudson County Jury in October 2019. During the course of the trial, the State presented evidence establishing that the victim suffered multiple blunt force injuries resulting in his death.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Najma Rana from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit. The Honorable Patrick Arre, J.S.C. presided over the matter.