A Mercer County grand jury returned a five-count indictment this week charging a 34-year-old Lawrence man in the August 2020 stabbing death of Ms. Shamira Williams, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, Mr. Irvin Hayes is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, one count of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, one count of fourth-degree resisting arrest and one count of fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law.
Prosecutor Onofri said on August 25, 2020, at approximately 6 a.m., Trenton police responded to a call on Laurel Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers located Williams unresponsive on the couch in her living room with multiple lacerations to her body.
Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. Following an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, Williams’ ex-boyfriend, Irvin Hayes, was identified as a suspect.
Hayes was apprehended on September 1, 2020, and charged with Williams’ murder the next day.
Onofri is currently detained in the Mercer County Correction Center pending trial.
Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Paravecchia presented the case to the grand jury.
Despite having been indicted, Onofri is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.