Newark-- Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Jeffrey Holland, 27, of East Orange on 17 counts for the murder of Ashley Jones, 23, Jarrell Marshall, 28, and Tiniquah Rouse, 21 all of Newark.
In addition to murder, Holland was also indicted for felony murder, burglary, desecration of human remains, endangering the welfare of a child, hindering apprehension or prosecution, theft by unlawful taking, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who is handling the case.
The indictment alleges that on Jan. 29 Holland entered Rouse’s home and strangled her in a bathtub and then placed Rouse’s five-month-old child inside a closet, leaving the child unattended.
According to authorities, on Jan. 30, Holland broke into the home of Jones and Marshall gunning them down steps away from three children, ages 1, 3 and 4. Holland is the biological father of the 1-year-old and 4-year-old.
Both were Jones’ children. The 3-year-old is the daughter of Marshall and another woman. The children were not physically harmed.
In addition, Holland is also charged with contempt because at the time of the murders there was an active restraining order barring him from having contact with Jones.
Holland remains in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility on $2.5 million bail.
Holland’s arraignment is scheduled for July 25 before Honorable Ronald Wigler, the presiding Essex County Criminal Division Judge.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.