By: Richard L. Smith
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II reported that Anthony Hagans, 35, of Irvington, and Clarence Johnson, 38, of East Orange, were both sentenced to 30 years in prison for the April 2020 killing of Shawn Watford.
Additionally, Shaquan Adams, 32, of Irvington, received a 10-year sentence in connection with the same homicide.
Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler handed down the sentences on Monday, July 22. Earlier this year, as the trial was about to begin,
Hagans and Johnson pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun. Adams pleaded guilty to first-degree conspiracy to commit murder.
Hagans and Johnson admitted to shooting Watford multiple times, while Adams admitted to conspiring with them and driving Johnson before, during, and after the killing.
On April 13, 2020, the defendants staked out Watford’s apartment for an hour until he left to visit his mother.
As Watford walked down the street, Hagans followed in his vehicle and opened fire, shooting him numerous times.
After Watford fell to the ground, Adams drove a second vehicle to the scene. Johnson got out and fired a single shot into Watford's head while standing over him.
“This was a planned, calculated execution carried out in broad daylight near the YMCA in East Orange,” said Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards, who handled the case. “While nothing will bring Shawn back to his family, I hope this sentence will provide them with some closure.”
This conviction marks Hagans' fourth felony, with previous convictions for drug distribution, unlawful possession of a weapon, and aggravated assault.
Johnson has also been convicted of four felonies, including two armed robberies and drug distribution. Adams has a prior felony conviction for unlawful possession of a weapon.