Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Deshaun Williams, 21, of Newark of first degree robbery, witness tampering, simple assault and weapons offenses.
Assistant Prosecutor David Feldman, who tried the case, said on March 24, 2014 Williams robbed a 23-year-old home healthcare worker at knifepoint in Newark in the 100 block of Johnson Avenue. He took her cash, credit cards, I pad and even demanded her wedding ring.
Four months after Williams was arrested and charged with robbery and weapons offenses, in July 2014 he wrote a letter to the victim saying she had falsely identified him because he was not in New Jersey at the time the crime was committed.
In reality, Williams was not only in the state but was charged with burglary, endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault on his girlfriend on or around the day of the robbery.
Today, following a week long trial before the Honorable Judge Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury deliberated for an hour before finding Williams guilty.
“The harrowing image of being robbed at knifepoint has haunted the victim in this case ever since March 24th, 2014. Mr. Williams made sure of that fact when in July he sent a letter to her home address and had his family members incessantly call her on her cell phone. Hopefully, with this verdict the victim is able to obtain some measure of closure,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Feldman.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 17 before Judge Sules. Williams faces 25 years in New Jersey State Prison.
He is awaiting trial on the domestic violence charges. Williams is presumed innocent of those charges unless and until he enters a guilty plea or is found guilty in a court of law.