Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announced that Francis Brace, 22, Jahmad Green, 22, and Gregory Oliver, 21, of Paterson were found guilty after a jury trial before the Honorable Sohail Mohammed, J.S.C., of one count of First Degree Aggravated Manslaughter, one count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault, two counts of Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, and one count of Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.
Brace, Green, and Oliver were charged as accomplices in the shooting death of Jaleek Burroughs and the attempted murder of Alaysia Chambers, which occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 31, 2014.
The evidence at trial demonstrated that all three defendants opened fire towards a passing gold Ford Taurus station-wagon at approximately 3:49 a.m. near the intersection of North 6th and Temple Streets in the City of Paterson.
Mr. Burroughs, an innocent bystander, and Ms. Chambers, a friend of the defendants, were both unintentionally struck in the head by the bullets intended for the Taurus.
All defendants were originally indicted for Murder and Attempted Murder; however, on February 28, 2017, a Passaic County jury convicted Brace, Green, and Oliver of a lesser count of First Degree Aggravated Manslaughter related to the death of Mr. Burroughs, a lesser count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault related to the shooting of Ms. Chambers, two counts of Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for the Unlawful Purpose to Use the Guns Against Mr. Burroughs
and Ms. Chambers, and one count of Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 5, 2017 before Judge Mohammed. Following the guilty verdict, Judge Mohammed revoked defendants’ million dollar bails, and remanded all three defendants to the Passaic County Jail pending sentencing. Brace and Oliver face a maximum of 40 years, subject to 85% Parole ineligibility, and Green faces a maximum of life in prison as a persistent offender. Brace is also pending sentence on an unrelated Fourth Degree Weapons Charge.
Additionally, while pending the investigation of the charges resulting in his conviction on February 28, 2017, Gregory Oliver was arrested, charged and indicted for the murder of teen basketball star Armoni Sexton, which occurred on April 18, 2015 in Paterson; those charges are still pending.
With respect to the pending indictment against Gregory Oliver, an indictment is merely an accusation.
Despite the pending indictment, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on those charges as well.
Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Jorge E. Morales represented the State during this six-week jury trial before Judge Mohammed; Francis Brace was represented by Mr. Paul Chiaramonte, Esq.; Jahmad Green was represented by Mr. Gregory Aprile, Esq.; and Gregory Oliver was represented by Mr. Harley Breite, Esq.
Media inquiries should be directed to Assistant Prosecutor Jorge E. Morales of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-881-4329 or at jmorales@passaiccountynj.org.