A Jersey City man was found guilty of carjacking and witness tampering in connection to an incident that occurred in Harrison just under a year ago, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Yesterday, William Hill, 49, of Jersey City, was found guilty of one count of first-degree carjacking and one count of third-degree witness tampering by a Hudson County jury, Suarez said in a statement.
At sentencing, Hill faces 10 to 30 years in state prison on the carjacking conviction. The state will seek an extended-term sentence and if granted, Hill will face 20 years to life in state prison.
At sentencing, the defendant also faces three to five years in state prison on the witness
tampering conviction. The state will seek consecutive sentences for the convictions.
On October 31st of last year, Harrison police officers responded to 318 Harrison Ave. on a report of a carjacking.
The responding officers found the owner of the vehicle at that location and discovered that a male suspect had attempted to carjack her vehicle, but was ultimately unsuccessful following a struggle that lasted multiple city blocks.
After the victim was able to shift her vehicle into neutral, the suspect jumped out of the vehicle and fled southward down Church Square.
During the course of the trial, the state presented the testimony of the victim as well as video surveillance from the surrounding area depicting the carjacking.
Additionally, the State also presented a letter that Hill sent the victim several months after the incident.
The state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor David Feldman from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Officer and the Harrison Police Department investigated the case.
Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson, who presided over the case, is scheduled to sentence Hill on November 11th.
