Prosecution: Man accused in Sayreville councilwoman slaying bought ammo for gun used in killing
Rashid Bynum is accused of killing Council Member Eunice Dwumfour in 2023.
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Jurors sitting for the murder trial of the man accused of killing a Sayreville councilwoman were given a chance to see what the defendant was searching for online, as well as his location the day before he allegedly shot her.
The defense for Rashid Bynum has continuously said that he didn’t shoot Eunice Dwumfour. However, the prosecution on Friday attempted to show jurors that Bynum planned it all out.
Investigators revealed that Bynum was at a gun store buying ammo for the Glock 19 used in Dwumfour’s shooting death, before driving to Sayreville the morning of the murder.
The prosecution put Sgt. Christopher Pessini of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office on the stand. It was Pessini’s job to dive into Bynum’s Google searches and cell phone use.
In the days before Dwumfour’s murder on Feb. 1, 2023, jurors saw data showing Bynum shopping for a rental car. Then, on Jan. 30, 2023, was at a gun shop in Virginia.
“We looked at his location history and he was near a firearms outdoor store. Freedom Outdoors,” said Pessini.
A receipt shows Bynum bought $142 worth of ammunition for a Glock 19.
On Jan. 31, 2023, Sgt. Pessini says Bynum was searching for directions to Sayreville.
“This is a map history search for Sayreville War Memorial High School, 820 Washington Road, Parlin, New Jersey,” Pessini said.
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Investigators have said Bynum rented a white Hyundai and drove to Sayreville where he parked it along Gondek Drive. Police say he shot Dwumfour with a Glock 19 outside her house at 7:21 p.m.
On that night, data shows Bynum searching for directions to Washington from Sayreville.
The prosecutor asked the investigator, “Was this particular search pertinent to your investigation?”
“Yes, it’s approximately five minutes after the homicide. Also, it shows when the device is leaving from Gondek Drive,” Pessini replied.
The defense has said that Bynum didn’t shoot Dwumfour. On cross-examination, the defense pointed out the phone was tracked .2 miles away at Gondek Drive, not the crime scene.
Defense Attorney Michael Ashley asked Sgt. Pessini, “So your testimony at this moment is that at the time the homicide occurred you don’t believe this device was in Camelot La Mer?”
“Correct,” said Pessini.
Finally, jurors heard from an FBI agent who specializes in Google location tracking. He showed a map of that white Hyundai driving back to Virginia after the murder, ending at the address of Bynum’s girlfriend, Kelsy Henly.
Investigators testified that before and after the shooting, phone records show Bynum had been speaking with his girlfriend.
Henley testified earlier this week that Bynum gave her a gun which she hid under her bed.
