Men Convicted of Murder for Death of 17-Year-Old Girl

Men Convicted of Murder for Death of 17-Year-Old Girl


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, July 21, 2022

JURY CONVICTS MEN OF MURDER FOR FATAL SHOOTING OF 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN JERSEY CITY

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Thursday, July 21, 2022, a Hudson County jury convicted Alterik Ellis, 29, and Travis DeFoe, 32, both of Jersey City, for their roles in the shooting death of Jade Saunders, 17, in Jersey City on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Ellis and DeFoe were found guilty of Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a/2C:11-3, Possession of Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a, and Theft of Moveable Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a. The verdict was delivered before the Honorable Angelo Servidio, J.S.C., following a seven week trial.

On Friday, October 26, 2018, at approximately 11:35 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department received a report of shots fired in the area of 76 Brinkerhoff Street. Responding officers found an unresponsive woman – later identified as Jade Saunders, 17, of Jersey City – with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of Death to be a gunshot wound and the Manner of Death to be homicide. Three other individuals were injured during the shooting.

The State was represented at trial by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutors Kevin Roe and John Burke.

“The defendants in this case cut short the life of a 17-year-old girl who had her entire future ahead of her,” said Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Roe. “Today’s verdict helps ensure that justice will be served for Ms. Saunders, her family, friends, and loved ones. We thank the court and the jury for their service throughout the course of this case.”

Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 14, 2022.