NJ man gets 100 years in prison for New Year’s Eve murder in Newark

⚠️ A Newark man gets 100 years for armed robberies and murder on New Year's Eve 2023.

➡️ Prosecutors said he robbed two men within minutes before shooting and killing one of them.

🔴 The 35-year-old convicted killer is not eligible for parole for at least 85 years.

NEWARK — A city man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a violent New Year’s Eve during which he robbed two men and killed one of the victims.

Jarell Riles, of Newark, was sentenced to 100 years for his conviction of first-degree felony murder, first-degree murder, as well as robbery and weapons offenses.

Two armed robberies ended with a fatal shooting in Newark

Riles shot 67-year-old Newark resident Jose Gaona in the back, seven times, after robbing him on a city street.

Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler in Essex County presided over both the February trial by jury and this week’s sentencing.

Around 7 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2023, Riles robbed a first victim at gunpoint on Vessey Street in Newark, forcing the man to the ground and pistol-whipping him.

Read More: Man who answered stolen phone admits to deadly armed NJ robbery 

Newark killer gets 100 years prison

Riles was driving a Nissan Rogue that had been rented on his behalf, according to an affidavit filed by investigators.

He then drove a short distance to Malvern Street, and saw his next victim getting into a Go Car Service cab.

Riles got out and at gunpoint, threatened Gaona, a livery cab driver, robbing him of personal belongings.

When Gaona tried again to get into his car, Riles repeatedly shot him in the back, killing him, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens said.

An off-duty police officer using an ATM at a nearby bank heard the gunshots and saw the Rogue driving off.

The officer performed CPR, but Gaona was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators then tracked the rented Nissan to a drive-by shooting days earlier in Jersey City, which left a different victim wounded in Jersey City.

Newark killer gets 100 years prison

Judge imposes a 100-year prison sentence

Riles must serve 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole, which means he would be well over 115 years old, even with time served.

“The State is relieved that justice has been served, and the defendant no longer poses a danger to society,” Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Julianne Bollettieri said in a written statement.

“The death of Mr. Gaona and the violent robbery of the other victim are tragic and senseless crimes," Bollettieri previously said after a jury convicted Riles in February.

"We hope this conviction for these brazen acts of violence against members of the Newark community brings some sense of security to all Essex County residents."

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