May 23, 11

NEWS / Camden Man Found Guilty of Murder in 2007 Death of 24-year-old Woodlynne Woman Killed in Crossfire D

CAMDEN – Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that a Camden man was found guilty of murder today in the slaying of Tierra Pressley, who was shot in 2007 when the defendant opened fire on a man in a botched hit.

According to Director Taylor, Manfred J. Younger, 24, was found guilty by a Camden County jury following a seven-week trial before Superior Court Judge Gwendolyn Blue. Co-defendant, Anthony D. Parker, 27, also of Camden, was acquitted of all the charges. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kristen M. Harberg of the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau. It was investigated by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and the Camden Police Department. The jury deliberated approximately nine hours before reaching a verdict.

The jury found Younger guilty of first-degree murder for gunning down Pressley, 24, of Woodlynne, on June 17, 2007 in Camden. The jury also found Younger guilty of first-degree attempted murder in the shooting of Adrien Jackson, who was the primary target but who survived his wounds. Younger was also found guilty of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder; second- and third-degree counts of aggravated assault related to Jackson; second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; third-degree unlawful possession of a handgun; and two counts of third-degree endangering an injured victim.

On the murder charge, Younger faces a sentence of life in state prison, including 30 years without possibility of parole. He faces additional time on the other charges. Judge Blue scheduled the defendant to be sentenced on June 15.

“This verdict brings a measure of justice for Tierra Pressley, a young woman who was senselessly gunned down by this defendant as he attempted to kill a man who had disrespected his criminal associates,” said Attorney General Dow. “I want to thank the jury for its careful attention to the evidence and testimony, which was heartbreaking at times.”

“Our attorney and all of the investigators from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Camden Police Department worked steadfastly to build this case and prove it to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Director Taylor. “They deserve great credit for this conviction.”

Pressley was shot about 2:30 a.m. as she spoke with Jackson, then 32 years old, in a parking lot at Seventh and Sycamore streets in Camden. Pressley had just left a bar called the Seventh and Kaighns Lounge with a female cousin. According to the evidence and testimony at trial, Younger walked into the parking lot with semi-automatic handgun and opened fire, discharging multiple rounds. Pressley was shot multiple times in the back, torso, arm and leg. Jackson was shot in the chest, abdomen and arm.

Pressley’s cousin rushed her to the hospital in a car, but Pressley was pronounced dead within minutes of arrival. Jackson, who was critically wounded, was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He survived and was discharged from the hospital about a month later.

The state presented testimony, based on statements Younger made to witnesses, that Younger was ordered to kill Jackson because he had disrespected some of his associates. One witness testified that Younger said he carried out the shooting of Jackson as a “Bloods initiation hit.” According to the testimony, Pressley was shot because she was in the way.

Attorney General Dow credited Deputy Attorney General Harberg, as well as Division of Criminal Justice Analyst Terri Drumm, who provided trial assistance; the lead investigators, Senior Investigator Diane Wilson of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Detective Wayne Matthews (now retired) of the Camden Police Department; and all of the investigators who worked on the case, including Investigator John Ellis, Investigator Robert Norcross, Investigator James Pisano and Senior Investigator Patricia Taulane of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, and Detectives Benjamin Walls and Eric White of the Camden Police Department.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases11/pr20110520b.html