Cumberland County Officials state Raheem Jacobs, 33, of Bridgeton, was sentenced today in connection with the August 11, 2015, homicide of Keon Butler, also of Bridgeton.
The Honorable Cristen P. D’Arrigo, J.S.C., found that the defendant qualified for an extended term of incarceration and sentenced the defendant to 20 years in prison, the maximum possible time.
A Cumberland County jury previously returned a guilty verdict on May 26 for second-degree Reckless Manslaughter following a two-and-a-half week trial.
According to Officials, before imposing the sentence, Judge D’Arrigo denied a motion by the defendant for a judgment of acquittal. The verdict is also subject to the No Early Release Act requiring the defendant to serve 85% of the sentence imposed, equal to 17 years, before being eligible for parole.
He must also serve three years on parole after his release from prison. Restitution for $7,430 was also ordered to be paid as reimbursement for the victim’s funeral expenses.
Police state the homicide occurred while Keon Butler was driving a minivan near the intersection of North Laurel and Myrtle Streets in Bridgeton.
Keon Butler suffered a single gunshot wound to the head, which came from a vehicle following and pursuing him. Raheem Jacobs was arrested in October 2015 following a joint investigation by the Bridgeton Police Department and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.