Jury finds man guilty of murder in shooting death of Sayreville councilwoman
The prosecution described the death of Dwumfour as an execution.
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A jury found Rashid Bynum guilty of murdering Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour on Day 2 of deliberations.
The panel, consisting of nine men and three women, decided Bynum pulled the trigger and fatally shot Dwumfour two years ago.
Bynum had no reaction when the verdict was read inside of the Middlesex County Courthouse.
Jurors believed the prosecution’s argument that Bynum tracked, targeted and executed Dwumfour outside of her Parlin home, firing a Glock 19 at the woman 15 times.
The bullets pierced her car window, striking her nine times while she was sitting in the driver seat of her SUV.
Dwumfour’s family said they had no idea why she was targeted after the verdict but expected the guilty verdict.
The most damning evidence was the murder weapon - the Glock 19 - which an expert testified had Bynum’s DNA on the slide and grip. That gun was found in the home of Kelsey Henley, Bynum’s girlfriend.
She had testified that he gave her the gun.
There was also a “digital trail,” which assistant Middlesex County prosecutor Kristen Pridgen said in closing arguments showed, “This plan was well reasoned and everything the defendant did was calculated.”
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Jurors were told how investigators tracked Bynum’s every movement over a four-month period - with help from his Gmail, cellphone and E-ZPass.
It all showed Bynum rented a white Hyundai Elantra to drive to Sayreville, bought bullets for the Glock and was in the victim’s neighborhood at the time of the murder.
The defense argued there was other unidentified DNA on the gun and adding Bynum had no reason to kill her.
“Also think about the fact that there is no communication between my client and the victim or any other person associated with this case,” said defense attorney Michael Ashley.
But Bynum never took the stand to explain why he was in Sayreville the night of the murder or offer any insight into his movements or why his DNA was on the murder weapon.
During the trial, a motive for the killing, described by the prosecution as an execution, was never offered.
Dwumfour’s husband, Eze King, told News 12 New Jersey following the verdict that he has no idea why she was targeted.
The jury only knew the victim and suspect were once roommates and members of the same church.
But a motive wasn’t needed for the prosecution to gain a conviction and close this case.
Bynum faces the possibility of life in prison at sentencing on Aug. 18.
