Two Jersey City men were convicted of murder for the October 2018 shooting of 17-year-old resident Jade Saunders.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Earlier today, a Hudson County jury convicted Alterik Ellis, 29, and Travis DeFoe, 32, both of Jersey City, for their roles in the shooting death of Jade Saunders, 17, in Jersey City on
Friday, October 26th, 2018.
Ellis and DeFoe were both found guilty of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of weapon for an unlawful
purpose, and theft of moveable property.
The verdict was delivered before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Angelo Servidio following a seven-week trial.
On Friday, October 26, 2018, at approximately 11:35 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department
received a report of shots fired in the area of 76 Brinkerhoff St.
Responding officers found an unresponsive woman – later identified as Saunders, 17, of Jersey City – with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound and the manner of death to be homicide.
Additionally, three other individuals were injured during the shooting.
The State was represented at trial by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutors Kevin Roe and John Burke.
“The defendants in this case cut short the life of a 17-year-old girl who had her entire future ahead of her,” Roe said in a statement.
“Today’s verdict helps ensure that justice will be
served for Ms. Saunders, her family, friends, and loved ones. We thank the court and the jury for
their service throughout the course of this case.”
Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 14th.
