A 27-year-old Newark man was sentenced to five years in prison for fatally shooting a man in Bloomfield.
On April 27, 2013, Marcelus Tonic shot Rob E. Jean, 24, of Belleville, on the 500 block of Beardsley Avenue in Bloomfield sometime around 3:30 a.m.
Jean was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Superior Court Judge Peter Ryan took in consideration that Tonic had no prior criminal record. Tonic who was sentenced to five years in prison, must serve close to four years before he can be eligible for parole. However, he will receive credit of more than two years of time served.
Tonic's attorney asked the judge to take in consideration that shortly before the shooting, Tonic who was approached by a group of intoxicated individuals felt threatened and acted in that manner. Adding that his client has led a law-abiding life and should not be in the criminal system.
The judge pointed out that despite the circumstances an unarmed man was killed and there was no changing that.