2 remaining defendants in Short Hills mall killing plead guilty

<p>The two remaining defendants accused in a fatal carjacking at the Mall at Short Hills pleaded guilty in the case, according to the Essex County Prosecutor&rsquo;s Office.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 10, 2017, 8:24 PM

Updated 2,391 days ago

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The two remaining defendants accused in a fatal carjacking at the Mall at Short Hills pleaded guilty in the case, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Karif Ford, 35, of Newark, and Hanif Thompson, 32, of Irvington, pleaded guilty Tuesday to their respective roles in a carjacking that left 30-year-old Hoboken lawyer Dustin Friedland dead.
Ford and Thompson admitted to going to the mall to steal high-end cars. They killed Friedland while trying to steal his Range Rover in December 2013. Prosecutors say that Thompson shot and killed Friedland. He pleaded guilty to felony murder. Ford pleaded guilty to carjacking.
Under the plea agreement, Ford must serve 85 percent of a 20-year sentence before he is eligible for parole and Thompson must serve 30 years before he is eligible for parole.
Ford and Thompson are the second and third defendants to take a plea deal. Kevin Roberts, 39, of Newark, pleaded guilty in July to carjacking.
Basim Henry, 36, was the only defendant to go to trial. Henry was the getaway driver and was convicted on all counts. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Ford, Thompson and Roberts are expected to be sentenced Jan. 18.


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