By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for a deadly shooting in Orange Township, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced.
Marcus Wright, 34, was convicted by a jury in May of first-degree murder and related weapons offenses for the November 20, 2020 killing of Wisguen Marc, 25, near 193 Main Street in Orange.
According to prosecutors, Wright confronted Marc on the street, brandished a handgun, and after a brief altercation, fatally shot him in the back.
Marc died instantly.
Following the conviction, Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C., handed down a life sentence.
Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, Wright must serve at least 85% of his sentence, equivalent to more than 63 years, before even being considered for parole, effectively ensuring he will never return to the community.
Assistant Prosecutors Austin Edwards and Zhen Liu led the case.
“We hope that today’s sentence sends a clear message that gun violence and senseless killings will be met with the most severe punishment,” Edwards said.
Liu added, “While no amount of prison time can heal the pain for the victim’s family, this life sentence guarantees the defendant will never again pose a threat to our community.”