FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL:  rworrall@hcpo.org

DATE: Friday, July 19, 201

JERSEY CITY MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF ELDERLY NEIGHBOR

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On July 19, 2019, Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre sentenced Jeffrey Harley, age 53, of Jersey City to life in state prison for the February 6, 2016, murder of his neighbor, 81-year-old Lucila Cardenas-Viejo. The life sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act which requires that Harley will have to serve 85 percent of 75 years — or 63 years and 9 months — before he is eligible for parole.

Judge Arre also sentenced the defendant to 20 years in state prison for Armed Robbery, 10 years in state prison for Armed Burglary and 18 months in state prison for Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Knife) for a total of 31 years and 6 months to be served consecutively to the life sentence. The sentences for the Armed Robbery and Armed Burglary are also subject to the No Early Release Act.

During the course of the trial earlier this year, the State presented evidence that Harley killed his elderly neighbor inside of her home during an armed burglary and armed robbery. Cardenas-Viejo was found lying unresponsive on the floor by Jersey City Police Officers who responded to the incident.

On May 9, 2019, a Hudson County jury convicted Harley of two counts of Felony Murder, Murder, Armed Robbery, Robbery, Armed Burglary, Burglary, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Knife) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Knife). He was acquitted on two additional weapons charges. Several of the crimes for which he was found guilty were merged for the purposes of sentencing.

The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez from the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor. The Honorable Patrick Arre, J.S.C. presided over the matter.