October 23, 2002
Trenton,
NJ—Mercer
County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced that a Mercer County grand jury
has returned capital murder indictments against Jerome “Righteous” Roberts, age 32, of the first block of
Parkside Avenue, Trenton and Stanley
“Butterball” Smith, age 30, of the 100 block of Rossell Avenue, Trenton.
According to Prosecutor
Giaquinto, Jerome Roberts and Stanley
Smith were indicted for capital murder, possession of a weapon for an
unlawful purpose (2nd degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (two
counts)(3rd degree) and possession of a defaced firearm (3rd
degree) for their role in the December 31, 2001 murder for hire of Robert
Priester, age 26, of the 100 block of Brinton Avenue, Trenton.
Police allege that Roberts
and Smith had an ongoing dispute with Priester and had arranged for Andre
Bellinger to kill Priester for a monetary payment.
Roberts and Smith provided Bellinger and his “associate”, Khalif
Johnson, with a gun. Thereafter,
Bellinger and Johnson located Priester at the M&M Deli located at 901
Calhoun Street, Ewing, where Johnson fired approximately 5 shots at Priester,
killing him. Bellinger and Johnson
then left the area returning to Long Branch where they resided.
Through tireless police work, Ewing Township detectives were able to
discover a link between Smith and Bellinger leading to the recovery of the gun
used to kill Priester.
Johnson and Bellinger have
pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and will serve 85% of 25 year and
20-year sentences, respectively.
Prosecutor Giaquinto
stated:
“All murders murders are serious, but murder for hire is
particularly
egregious. Based on all relevant
factors, the
capital
referral of this matter is both appropriate and warranted.”
Roberts and Smith are
currently being held at the Mercer County Corrections Center.
Assistant Prosecutor Tom Meidt presented the case to the grand jury.
Despite having been charged
with a crime, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.