By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Passaic County announced that Ismael Leon, 21, and Jaquan Thomas, 33, both of Paterson, were found guilty after a jury trial before the Honorable Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes reported that Thomas was found guilty of first-degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Officials stated Leon was found guilty of first-degree, Aggravated Manslaughter, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon5.
Jury selection commenced on September 5, 2023, officials said.
According to officials, on October 13, following approximately one day of deliberations, the jury returned the guilty verdicts against both of the defendants.
Authorities say the jury heard evidence that on May 1, 2021, Thomas devised a plan where members of his gang would go to the area of Redwood Avenue and Totowa Avenue and begin shooting at individuals he believed were members of a rival gang.
Thomas also planned that Leon, along with another member of the gang, would go to the area of Albion Avenue and Totowa Avenue.
Once the shooting began and individuals ran towards Albion Avenue, Leon would fire a gun at those individuals, officials stated.
Officials say when the shooting took place, the victim, Jose Figueroa, was struck and killed by the gunfire.
Sentencing has been scheduled for December 15, 2023, before the Honorable Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr., officials said.
