Fifth Person Convicted in Newark Schoolyard Murders

Another defendant has been convicted in the execution-style killings of three Newark friends in 2007.

An Essex County jury found Jose Carranza guilty of felony murder and robbery charges. But he was acquitted of charges that he sexually assaulted a woman who survived the attack.

Carranza, an illegal immigrant from Peru, was free on bail in an unrelated case when the murders occurred in August 2007.

The verdict was returned Tuesday afternoon, a week after jurors began their deliberations.

The three friends who were killed died from gunshot wounds to the head. All four victims were either attending or planning to attend Delaware State University that fall.

Two co-defendants have been convicted and two others pleaded guilty. One testified against Carranza, while a sixth defendant is awaiting trial.