By: Richard L. Smith
An Elizabeth man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for his role in the 2024 death of Sharieff Franklin, Union County authorities announced.
According to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Michael Bates, 44, of Elizabeth, was sentenced Friday, June 5, by Union County Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Parenti, Jr. for first-degree aggravated manslaughter.
Bates must serve 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act. He pleaded guilty on April 20.
Authorities said Elizabeth police responded to the 60 block of 3rd Street shortly before 10 a.m. on May 18, 2024, where they found Franklin, 44, unresponsive.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined Bates had struck Franklin several times in the face during an argument the night before his death, causing fatal injuries.
The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Franklin’s death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head.