Rodolfo Godinez guilty in Newark schoolyard killings

Rodolfo Godinez, the first defendant to be charged in the triple schoolyard slayings, in Newark, N.J. was convicted today.

Rodolfo Godinez guilty

A Nicaraguan, Godinez was convicted on all 17 counts including murder, felony murder, attempted murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and weapons charges related to possession of a machete and a handgun.

The jurors had reached their verdict at 10:00am Monday after three hours of deliberation on Thursday.

The shooting deaths caused national outrage and a wave of anti-violence measures in the city.

The three students were lined up against a wall in a schoolyard and shot execution style that night.

Victims

Iofemi Hightower and Dashon Harvey, both 20, and Terrance Aeriel, 18, all died. Terrance’s sister, Natasha Aeriel, then 19, was shot but survived.

Iofemi Hightower’s mother told the New Jersey Star Ledger that justice was served today.

“Justice is done for my angel and her friends,” Hightower said. “It doesn’t take away the pain, but justice was served.”

Shalga Hightower said she planned to attend the trials of the other defendants. “That’s one down, five more to go,” she said.

All four victims were enrolled or about to be enrolled at Delaware State University.

Godinez, 26, is one of six defendants charged in connection with the Aug. 4, 2007, triple killing.

His sentencing is scheduled for July 8.