Man convicted in murder of man he thought was rival gang member in East Orange
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office says 23-year-old David Parker fatally shot 35-year-old Prince Sweeny on Aug. 9, 2021.
More Stories
An Irvington man could spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of murder.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office says 23-year-old David Parker fatally shot 35-year-old Prince Sweeney on Aug. 9, 2021, in East Orange.
Officials say that Parker is affiliated with the Bloods street gang. They say Parker, along with his brother and two others, drove to East Orange to kill someone in retaliation for the 2017 gang-related shooting of his brother.
Parker mistakenly identified Sweeney as a member of the rival Crips gang. Parker shot Sweeney 10 times, killing him.
An Essex County jury convicted Parker on Feb. 5 after four days of testimony.
“David Parker executed the victim for simply walking down the street in what Parker believed was rival gang territory. This verdict should serve as a warning to anyone who engages in this kind of brutal crime that we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock wrote in a statement.
Sentencing is set for March 27.
