Edison Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Attempted Murder
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced that John Searles, 23, of Edison was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, after an Essex County jury convicted him of first-degree attempted murder and weapons offenses.
Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Faloyin, who tried the case, said, “We are pleased the judge sentenced this defendant to the maximum allowed by law because his conduct shows he poses a threat to the community.’’
Under the No Early Release Act, Searles must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
The case arises from events that occurred on Sept. 22, 2016. West Orange Police were dispatched to a home on Lowell Place with a report of a shooting in progress. Once on the scene they discovered a man bleeding, suffering from numerous abrasions but no gunshot wounds.
The victim informed detectives that he had arrived home from his daughter’s back-to-school night event and drove his vehicle into the attached garage of his home. As he approached the front door of his residence, a male with a ski mask appeared from his driveway, ran towards him and fired multiple times at him. The victim ran at the suspect, tackled the suspect in the driveway of his residence, and the two fought.
During the altercation, the victim was able to grab a silver 9mm Ruger from the suspect and threw it into his rear yard. The gun was recovered as well as a bullet fragment and a 9mm live round. During the fight, a second unknown male approached both parties and attempted to separate them. After a short period of time, the suspect and the second unknown male fled in a black Nissan Altima.
The incident was captured on a surveillance camera and Searles’ DNA was on the victim’s clothing. In June an Essex County jury found Searles guilty on all counts – first-degree attempted murder, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth degree possession of a defaced firearm, said Assistant Prosecutor Faloyin.
Prosecutor Stephens commends Assistant Prosecutor Faloyin and all ECPO staff who were instrumental in insuring that the perpetrator of this extremely violent crime was brought to justice.