Gang Ties Explored in Newark Schoolyard Slaying Suit

A jury is hearing testimony in a lawsuit filed by families of three college-bound friends murdered in a Newark schoolyard.

A Newark detective testified Tuesday that bullet marks on a door at the schoolyard were made from shots fired from inside school property. An attorney for the families also showed the jury pictures of graffiti on the asphalt and playground equipment.

The families of the three, plus a fourth victim who survived being shot and stabbed, claim the school had non-working security cameras, was poorly lit and was left unlocked when it was a known gang hangout.

Six men and boys arrested for the murders have pleaded guilty or been convicted and are serving combined sentences of more than 1,000 years.

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