Fifth Defendant Sentenced in Newark Schoolyard Killings

A defendant in the 2007 slayings of three college students in a Newark schoolyard has been sentenced to 155 years in prison.

Jose Carranza appeared Thursday afternoon in state Superior Court in Newark.

Carranza was convicted of felony murder and armed robbery last month. He was one of six men and boys charged with the execution-style killings of Dashon Harvey, Iofemi Hightower and Terrance "T.J." Aeriel in August 2007.

The three victims and a fourth who survived were enrolled or about to enroll at Delaware State University.

Two of Carranza's co-defendants have been convicted, and two others pleaded guilty. Three are serving multiple life sentences and the other was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

A sixth defendant is awaiting trial.

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