Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that the Honorable Justine A. Niccollai, J.S.C., sentenced Tamaj Lemmon, 21 of Paterson, to seventy-four (74) years in New Jersey State Prison for first degree Murder and related weapons offenses in the 2017 death of Vishon Randolph, 18, of Paterson, and the shooting of Zimere Kellam, 21, and Tyshon Daniels, 19, of Paterson.
According to court documents released by authorities, the evidence presented to the jury during trial demonstrated that the defendant, Tamaj Lemmon, on April 22, 2017, fired a handgun in the direction of Vishon Randolph, Zimere Kellam, and Tyshon Daniels.
Authorities say the defendant struck Mr. Kellam in the lower back, but he was able to escape and survived. Tyshon Daniels was not struck or physically harmed. Vishon Randolph was struck in his back five times and fell to the floor.
The defendant then approached Mr. Randolph and fired twice into his head.
Authorities say on July 6, 2018, the jury returned guilty verdicts on first degree Murder, three counts of second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and third degree Aggravated Assault.
Mr. Lemmon was sentenced to sixty (60) years in New Jersey State Prison for Murder, with 85% to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision authorities said.
This sentence was ordered to run consecutive with fourteen (14) years in New Jersey State Prison for two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, with eight (8) years to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Krenar Camili. The defendant was represented by Benjamin Morton, Esq.