Jan. 28, 2000  

 

THREE MEN INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGES 

      TRENTON – Three city men were indicted today on murder and robbery charges, accused of killing a city teenager last year, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced.

      Tyrone Fletcher (DOB 8/25/80), of the 100 block of Hoffman Avenue, Shawn Harris (DOB 10/20/80), of the 100 block of Monmouth Street, and Terrance Patterson, 23, of the 100 block of Old Rose Street, were indicted on identical charges in the June 29 death of 18-year-old Rakeacha Denard, of the 600 block of Lamberton Street.

      A West Ward male, who was 17 at the time of the crime, was arrested and charged identically to the other three men but because he was a juvenile at the time of the offense, his name has not been released. His case remains pending.

      In addition to the murder and robbery charges, the trio was indicted today on charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, Giaquinto said. If convicted of the murder charge, the men could be sentenced to life in prison, required to spend 30 years in jail without parole.

      The victim was shot in the back about 2:30 a.m. as she ran from Lamberton Street Park near her home. She collapsed in front of a Hills Place residence and died about five hours later at Capital Health System at Fuld hospital after emergency surgery.

      At the time of the incident, the victim had been in the park with a girlfriend who was also allegedly robbed by the defendants.

      Assistant Prosecutor Randolph D. Norris presented the case to the grand jury.