FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

WOMAN RESENTENCED TO 70 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ROLE IN 2010 DOUBLE MURDER

On Monday, September 16, 2024, the Honorable Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez resentenced Latonia Bellamy to 70 years in New Jersey State Prison for her role in the 2010 deaths of Michael Muchioki and Nia Haqq.

Bellamy, 33, was sentenced to 30 years for Felony Murder with 30 years parole ineligibility relating to the death of Muchioki, which will run concurrent to a 10-year sentence for Robbery. Additionally, Bellamy was sentenced to a consecutive 40-year term in prison for Murder with 85% parole ineligibility relating to the death of Nia Haqq, which runs concurrent to a 10-year sentence for Carjacking, a 10-year sentence for Robbery, and a 5-year sentence for Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Bellamy will not be eligible for parole until 64 years of the sentence is served.

Bellamy was convicted at trial on June 21, 2012, after Michael Muchioki, 27, and Nia Haqq, 25, were robbed and fatally shot on Randolph Avenue in Jersey City on April 4, 2010. The resentencing was required following a 2021 Appellate Court ruling that affirmed Bellamy’s conviction, but remanded the matter back to the court to consider additional records provided by the defendant as part of her sentence. Shiquan Bellamy, 34, is serving a life plus 30-year sentence and Darmellia Lawrence, 35, is serving a 20-year sentence for their roles in Muchioki and Haqq’s deaths.

The State was represented at resentencing by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leonardo Rinaldi.