Hassan Todd, 31, of Newark, NJ was sentenced to 65 years for murdering Elijah Roberts, 30, also of Newark.
Story by Reporter Eloize
Roberts was fatally shot seven times, three times in the back, outside a restaurant in the 100 black of Avon Avenue in the City of Newark by Todd. Todd also shot a second man in the leg.
The crime occurred on September 30, 2019. It was captured on video surveillance, which depicts Todd continuously shooting Roberts as he crawls on the ground, trying to escape the gunshots. Two witnesses came forward, identified Todd as the shooter, and testified for the state.
Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline D. Bilinkas, who tried the case on behalf of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, argued for a life sentence because of Todd’s prior felonies and the escalation of severity. Todd has four prior felony convictions for robbery. aggravated assault, drug offenses, and resisting arrest.
“This defendant had opportunities for rehabilitation starting with his first offenses as a juvenile but none of that was a deterrent. He started out with theft and drugs and ultimately escalated to murder,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Bilinkas.
Todd must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
