April 3, 2002
Trenton, NJ — Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto and Ewing Township Police Chief Robert Coulton announced today that four men have been charged in the murder of Robert Priester, 26, of the 300 block of Brinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ. At approximately 5:30 p.m. on December 31, 2001, Priester was shot multiple times while in his vehicle parked on the side of the M & M Deli, 901 Calhoun Street, Ewing. He was transported by ambulance to Capital Health System, Fuld Campus, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The following men have all been charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon:
ANDRE BELLINGER (DOB 3/25/75), 26 South 5th Avenue, Long Branch, NJ. He is currently in custody in lieu of $750,000 bail;
KHALIFF JOHNSON (DOB 9/26/75), 66 Chapin Street, Red Bank, NJ. The investigation has identified Johnson as the shooter. He is currently in custody in lieu of $1,000,000 bail;
JEROME ROBERTS (DOB 8/16/69), 42 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, NJ. Roberts was allegedly shot by the victim, Robert Priester, a month earlier. He is currently in custody in lieu of $450,000 bail;
STANLEY SMITH (DOB 9/25/72), 108 Rossell Avenue, Trenton, NJ. He is currently in custody in lieu of $400,000 bail.
The joint investigation, led by Detective Dean McCleese of the MCPO and Detective Pat Holt of the ETPD, revealed that Priester’s murder was retaliation for an incident that occurred about a month earlier, on December 2, 2001, when Priester allegedly shot Jerome Roberts in Trenton. That incident remains under investigation by the prosecutor’s office and the Ewing police.
Roberts and Smith, who are allegedly partners in a drug distribution operation, promised Bellinger $3,000 to kill Priester. On New Year’s Eve, Priester was discovered to be in his vehicle outside the M & M Deli. Bellinger drove Johnson to the deli where Johnson exited their vehicle, approached Priester’s vehicle on foot, shot Priester five times at close range, and fled the scene with Bellinger.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.