NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County jury has convicted Hasson Todd, 31, of Newark, of murdering Elijah Roberts, 30, also of Newark, following a trial before Superior Court Judge Martin Cronin, according to an Oct. 2 press release from acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II.
The fatal shooting occurred on Sept. 22, 2018, outside a restaurant located in the 100 block of Avon Avenue in Newark. Todd shot Roberts seven times, three times in the back. Todd also shot a second man in the leg.
The incident, which was captured on video surveillance, depicts Todd continuously shooting Roberts even after he is crawling on the ground around a parked car trying to escape the gunshots. Two witnesses, who identified Todd as the shooter, came forward and testified for the state.
Todd, who has four prior felony convictions for robbery, aggravated assault, drug offenses and resisting arrest, is facing 30 years to life in prison.
“The evidence showed that Hassan Todd viciously killed Elijah Roberts. Todd continued shooting Roberts while he was on the ground trying to escape the shots,’’ according to Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline D. Bilinkas, who praised the witnesses who came forward and provided crucial testimony along with the investigation conducted by investigators from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force.
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 15 before Judge Cronin.
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