By: Richard L. Smith
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, has announced that Hassan Todd, 36, of Newark, has been found guilty of murder, aggravated assault, and weapons possession by an Essex County jury.
The charges stem from the shooting murder of Mr. Elijah Roberts on September 22, 2018, on Avon Avenue in Newark.
A second victim was also shot during the incident but survived.
The guilty verdicts came after a trial before the Honorable John I. Gizzo, J.S.C. This was Todd’s second trial for these charges.
In 2019, Todd was convicted after a jury trial before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, J.S.C., and was sentenced to prison.
However, the Appellate Division reversed the conviction and remanded the matter for a new trial.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline Bilinkas, who tried the case for the state, thanked the jurors for their dedication and praised the witnesses who came forward and testified.
Todd faces life in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Gizzo on August 16, 2024.