By: Richard L. Smith
Rahdee Bennett, a 24-year-old Newark resident, has been found guilty on multiple charges, including murder, robbery, and weapons offenses, following a verdict delivered by an Essex County jury, Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced.
The jury convicted Bennett of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes, conspiracy to commit robbery, and robbery—stemming from three separate incidents in April 2021. Assistant Prosecutor Felicia Garnes led the case, which was tried before Judge Marysol Rosero.
Jury deliberations began on January 17 and concluded on January 23, with a guilty verdict reached after four days of discussions.
According to details presented in court, Bennett’s crime spree started on April 10, 2021, when he attacked a man outside the victim’s home in the presence of the man’s wife and children.
Three days later, on April 13, Bennett robbed a man of his wallet and gold chain while the victim was performing repair work on Renner Avenue.
The final incident occurred on April 17, when security footage captured Bennett brandishing a firearm and attempting to steal gold chains from a man painting a door.
Bennett now faces sentencing for the charges, which include multiple violent crimes that terrorized Newark residents over the course of one week in 2021.