A Trenton man accused of fatally shooting 33-year-old Pinkey Priester entered a not guilty plea at an arraignment Monday.
Tomarkus Whitfield
Tomarkus Whitfield, 36, was indicted in December on counts of murder and weapons offenses after authorities said he pumped more than 10 rounds into Prieseter.
Assistant Prosecutor Michelle Gasparian said at a bail hearing she spoke with the victim’s family but needs more time to speak with the lead detective in the case before presenting Whitfield with a plea offer.
Authorities said Whitfield fired at Priester during a longstanding financial dispute. Priester was found lying in the street in a pool of blood on the 300 block of Centre Street on June 16 and later died at a local hospital.
Whitfield was arrested by Mercer County Prosecutor’s Detective Gary Wasko and the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force on Division Street.
Whitfield has an extensive criminal history, remains jailed in lieu of $750,000 cash bail, prosecutors said.