A man implicated with two others for his role in a deadly, gang-related shootout that ended the life of Rayshawn Ransom in June 2013 pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and is expected to be sentenced to 11 years in state prison.
Marquis Skillman
Marquis Skillman, 28, was charged along with West Ward gang members Alton Jones, 23, and Dyquise Leonard, 20, in connection with the June 12, 2013 fatal shooting death of Ransom, 19, who was gunned down while he sat in a car with friends on Passaic Street.
Authorities said Jones and Leonard were involved in an ongoing feud with a group of people who hailed from Passaic Street. The two groups met that day as part of an expected truce when Jones, Leonard and Skillman reportedly opened fire on three men, including Ransom who was seated in the car. Ransom’s friends were wounded in the shootout.
Skillman, who is free on bail and appeared in court from the streets, is the twin brother of Maurice Skillman, who was charged with the November 2012 murder of of Mercer County Corrections Officer Carl Batie.
While Marquis Skillman admitted Monday he was armed with a handgun, he did not say he opened fire on the vehicle carrying Ransom.
Prosecutors said Skillman did not fire into the car, and investigators have said the fatal shot came from Jones’ 10 mm automatic handgun, which witnesses said was tossed out of a getaway car that sped away from the scene.
Prosecutors would not say if Skillman, who was initially charged with murder for Ransom’s death, must cooperate against his codefendants as part of the plea deal.
Jones also faces murder charges for the fatal shooting death of Tiara Green. 19, who was shot in the stomach three days later on the same street as Ransom. He has rejected prosecutors’ offer of 40 years.Leonard pleaded guilty to attempted murder for Ransom's death as part of a 12-year sentence.
Skillman’ sentencing date was not immediately available.