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Rodolfo Godinez guilty in Newark schoolyard killings

Rodolfo Godinez, a Nicaraguan 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.

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newark schoolyard slayings, NJ schoolyard killings defendant sentenced to 155 years in prison
Terrence Aeriel, Iofemi Hightower, Dashon Harvey

Rodolfo Godinez, the first defendant to be charged in the triple schoolyard slayings, in Newark, NJ 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.


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Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family-operated online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.

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