By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark man has been convicted of murder and several related charges for opening fire on a crowded city street in 2023, killing one person and wounding four others.
Following a six-day trial, an Essex County jury returned its verdict on Friday, October 10, 2025, finding 46-year-old Antuane Gregory guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses.
The case was tried before the Honorable Harold W. Fullilove, Jr., J.S.C., by Assistant Prosecutors Meredith Mona and Monica Calderon.
The charges stemmed from an incident on April 15, 2023, when Gregory engaged in a heated argument outside 408 Leslie Street in Newark.
Prosecutors said he pulled a handgun and fired into a group of five people gathered on the sidewalk.
Corey Beasley, 43, of Newark, was struck four times and later died from his injuries.
Three other victims survived multiple gunshot wounds, while a fifth individual escaped injury.
“This was a senseless act of violence that cost Corey Beasley his life and could have been completely avoided but for the defendant’s actions that evening on a crowded city street,” Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona said.
Assistant Prosecutor Monica Calderon added, “The jury’s verdict makes clear that this was not self-defense but an unjustified act of violence. The defendant chose to shoot multiple times into a crowd, taking a life and injuring others, and now must face the consequences of that choice.”
Gregory is scheduled for sentencing on November 21, 2025. He faces a minimum of 30 years to life in prison and must serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
He is also serving a separate five-year federal sentence for escape from custody, imposed in July 2024.