By: Richard L. Smith
A Union County jury has returned a guilty verdict against a man for the shooting death of Antwoine Thompson in 2021, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced today.
Officis said Mr. Michael Rogers, 25 of Elizabeth, was found guilty on Tuesday of first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon following a 5-week trial before Union County Superior Court Judge Thomas K. Isenhour.
The jury deliberated for less than two days before returning its verdict.
In the early afternoon of April 26, 2021, Elizabeth Police patrol units responded to the intersection of Second and Bond streets where they found Thompson having sustained six gunshot wounds, according to Assistant Prosecutors Jillian Reyes and Joseph Cho, who prosecuted the case.
County officials said Thompson was rushed to Trinitas Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 3pm.
“We are grateful for the hard work of Assistant Prosecutors Reyes and Cho, Sergeant Lamar Hartsfield and Detective Michael Tambini on this case in bringing this individual to justice,” said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel.
“I hope this conviction can bring some solace to those mourning Mr. Thompson.”
Sentencing for this case has been scheduled for June 23, 2023 before Judge Thomas K. Isenhour, at which time Rogers can face a sentence of up to life in state prison.