Man Gets 15 Years in NJ State Prison for Killing Newark Woman Over $5
A Newark man who pleaded guilty to killing and decapitating a woman in Newark, New Jersey was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his crimes. The defendant was 57-year-old Newark resident James Edwards. He was accused of killing 50-year-old Newark resident Pamela Davis in October 2015. Davis’ friends had contacted law enforcement to report her missing in late 2015. Police eventually found her body in a garage located on the 800 block of South 11th Street in Newark, New Jersey. According to prosecutors, Davis’ head and neck were removed and her body was wrapped in a blanket. Police never found her head or neck.
Family members and friends of Davis told police that Davis had a connection to Edwards. It is believed that Edwards may have killed Davis during an argument over a small amount of money: just $5. Newark detectives investigated the homicide and ultimately gathered enough evidence to arrest Edwards. Prosecutors charged Edwards with a number of crimes, including first degree murder.
Plea Agreement Reached in Newark Decapitation Case
Edwards avoided trial in the homicide case by reaching a plea agreement with Essex County prosecutors. Edwards agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges of aggravated manslaughter and desecration of human remains. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office agreed to recommend that Edwards get sentenced to just 15 years in NJ state prison. Plea deals like this are common in Essex County criminal matters with defendants charged with first degree crimes. Prosecutors don’t want to risk having a defendant beat the charges at trial and avoid conviction.
Now Edwards is headed to prison after being formally sentenced in the Newark homicide case. He appeared in the Essex County Superior Court in Newark, and the superior court judge approved the plea deal and imposed a sentence of 15 years in prison. Moreover, since manslaughter is a violent crime enumerated in the No Early Release Act (NERA), Edwards will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for release on parole. Beyond that, there is a complicating factor in the case: Edwards faces an additional, unresolved charge of failing to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.
Free Consultation with Newark Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Manslaughter Charges
If you have been charged with murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, or any other violent crime in Newark, New Jersey, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney representing you. Contact Newark criminal lawyer Travis Tormey today to schedule a free consultation about your charges.