By: Richard L. Smith
Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw reported that three men have pleaded guilty to charges related to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old in a drug transaction gone wrong in Burlington Township in October 2021.
Jayviyohn Earley, 22, of Willingboro, entered a guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter and agreed to an 18-year prison sentence.
Co-defendants Tarik Jenkins, 28, of Pemberton Township, and Kayhree Simmons, 22, also of Willingboro, each pleaded guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter as part of plea agreements for 15-year sentences.
The defendants entered their pleas on October 29 in Superior Court in Mount Holly. During the court proceedings, they acknowledged their involvement in a drug transaction on October 7, 2021, in the Walmart parking lot on Route 541.
They admitted to firing handguns during the exchange, resulting in the death of Albert Williams, 17, of Hammonton.
Albert's father, Dion Williams, was also wounded in the shooting but survived.
Judge Mark P. Tarantino, J.S.C., has scheduled the sentencing for January 6, 2025.
Charges are still pending against a co-defendant, Kweli McCants, 23, of Willingboro, along with another individual who has pleaded guilty to hindering the investigation.