Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that Michael Mitchell, 41, was found guilty after a jury trial before the Honorable Marilyn C. Clark, P.J.Cr.
Jury selection commenced on March 2st and the trial started on April 4th.
Authorities say ok April 15th, following approximately two days of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts against the defendant on first degree Attempted Murder, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, third degree Terroristic Threats and fourth degree Possession of a Defaced Firearm.
The defendant is facing a life term of imprisonment for first degree Attempted Murder, up to 10 years imprisonment for second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, up to 10 years imprisonment for second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, up to 5 years imprisonment for third degree Terroristic Threats, and 18 months imprisonment for fourth degree Possession of a Defaced Firearm.
The State presented evidence at the trial that on January 3, 2018, the defendant shot his ex-girlfriend five times at close range and then repeatedly beat her in the face with the gun.
The victim, who suffered from life threatening injuries, identified the defendant as her attacker immediately following the shooting, which was captured on surveillance cameras.
Officials say the defendent was arrested two days following the incident by members of the Haledon Police Department and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department.
Mitchell remains in the Passaic County Jail pending sentence on May 31, 2019.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Fetterman. Nicholas Patullo, Esquire, represented Michael Mitchell.