NEPTUNE – An uncle and his nephew have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a robbery that led to a fatal shooting in 2018, officials said.
Marcus Morrisey, 52, received a sentence of life in state prison – defined by state law as 75 years – and his 30-year-old nephew, Danron Morrisey, received a sentence of 55 years, under the terms set on July 12. Both sentences are subject to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, meaning a minimum of 85 percent of the term must be served before the possibility of parole.
November 10, 2018, at around 9:21 p.m., Neptune Police Officers responded to a report of a person being shot at 1030 Old Corlies Avenue.
The victim, 43-year-old Randolph Goodman, had been shot in his abdomen. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased several hours later.
Police identified the Morriseys as responsible for the shooting. Marcus was arrested on November 29, 2018, while Danron was taken into custody on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. Both men were subsequently indicted in February 2019, officials said.
Following a three-week trial, a jury found both men guilty of Murder, Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose. Marcus Morrisey was additionally convicted of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon (a stun gun) and Possession of a Weapon (stun gun) for an Unlawful Purpose.
Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano described the encounter as an “ambush,” and said the Armed Robbery had ended as Goodman and his girlfriend were “retreating back up the steps” into their apartment – when Danron Morrisey fired the fatal shot.
Goodman’s mother read a statement into the record during Wednesday’s hearing, as did Goodman’s brother, and Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Ellyn Rajfer read a statement from Goodman’s father on his behalf.
“Every day, they miss their brother, their son, their father,” Rajfer said, gesturing in their direction. “Today is not going to erase their pain, but the people who caused their pain are being held accountable.”
Video surveillance footage, phone records, physical evidence, and witness testimony led to the jury returning guilty verdicts.
Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux said Marcus received the longer of the two sentences, as he initiated the robbery, and due to his significant and lengthy criminal history.
“This was a particularly intricate investigation and prosecution, and I commend the dedicated members of our office and our partners in Neptune Township who persevered through a myriad of challenges to deliver the justice Mr. Goodman’s loved ones so richly deserved,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “Gun violence will never be tolerated in Monmouth County, and this sentencing is fittingly reflective of our commitment to ensuring that it is routinely met with the fiercest of consequences.”
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