Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Ito Lightford, 40, of Newark pleaded guilty to murder today in connection with the death of Talia Capri Nesmith, 34, also of Newark.
Appearing today before the Honorable Ronald Wigler, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, Lightford admitted to fatally stabbing the mother of a one-year-old on Sept. 24, 2014.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Lightford must serve a minimum of 30 years in New Jersey State Prison before he is eligible for parole, according to Assistant Prosecutor Paul Bradley who handled the case.
Lightford lived in a basement apartment in the home where Nesmith lived for more than a decade with her grandmother.
She lived on the second floor. Lightford, who was a tenant, lived in the basement for two years. He became increasingly obsessed with Nesmith, who he wanted to date, said Bradley.
On the day of her murder, the defendant called 911 and told police someone had broke into the house.
“This case was so well investigated by detectives Mario Suarez and Bruce Branch that the defendant had no choice but to enter into this plea agreement,’’ said Bradley, noting the detectives obtained a statement from the defendant, recovered the murder weapon and bloody clothes. “They built a really strong case.’’
Bradley said he hopes the relatively swift resolution of the case provides a measure of comfort to the family.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 26, 2016.