A 21-year-old Newark man was sentenced today to seven years in prison in connection to the fatal shooting on Schuyler Avenue in Newark.
According to Katherine Carter, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, on July 21, 2014, Soulton Anthony and his friends picked up Jawaun Bernabela and drove to 78 Schuyler Ave. in Newark. After Anthony and Bernabela came back from picking up a money owed to Anthony by a resident, a fight broke out and Bernabela was shot in the head.
According to reports, Anthony told the other occupants in the car that he planned on robbing Bernabela.
The shooting allegedly occurred as the robbery took place.
On June 16, Anthony pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon. Under a plea deal, prosecutors recommended the seven-year prison sentence. Anthony admitted being high on drugs and admitted to being a member of the G-Shine set of the Bloods street gang at the time of the shooting,
Anthony today was sentenced to seven years in state prison in connection with the shooting death of Bernabela.
He must serve nearly six years before becoming eligible for parole but will receive credit for a year of time served.