TRENTON — Assistant Mercer County Prosecutor Brian McCauley is sticking to the plan to make sure Tyreek Anderson does 30 years to life if he is convicted of the shooting murder of Deon Harris at a basketball court on Garfield Avenue in July of 2011.
The defense lawyer today said she might contest police seizure of the gun suspected in the slaying, as well as file other legal challenges to the state’s case against Anderson, 24.
McCauley was unimpressed and told relatives of the victim outside the courtroom, “Don’t worry we’ll get through this together.”
Wednesday’s hearing before Mercer Superior Court Judge Thomas Sumners started with McCauley reminding the judge that prosecutors had rejected an offer from the defense to plead Anderson guilty to a weapons charge in exchange for dropping the murder.
Harris, 39, who was known as “Knowledge,” was at the ball court on Garfield on July 18, 2011, when Anderson, 24, allegedly ran up to him and started firing as the victim tried to run away. Detectives suspect it was a gang hit.
Anderson allegedly missed Harris with most of his shots, but did hit one fatal shot in the chest. Anderson is also charged with wounding a 20-year-old woman bystander.
Ex-con Anderson was indicted on murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses, including possession of a gun by a convicted felon.
According to Trenton police records from March 2009, Anderson and three other young men were picked up carrying handguns during a zero tolerance drug sweep. Anderson was charged with outstanding warrants, receiving stolen property and possession of a .22-caliber handgun.
Wednesday, with two relatives of his relatives also in the courtroom, Anderson appeared again in handcuffs and shackles before Judge Sumners. He asked for a speedy trial through his lawyer.
After he was updated on the case, the judge sent Anderson back to jail and cleared the way for more talks between the prosecution and defense.