Story by Reporter Eloize
Canela Lopez, 40, of the Bronx, was sentenced to 50 years for the muder of Charles Jeffrey, 64, of Newark.
Honorable James W. Donohue described the attack on Jeffrey as “overkill” and Assistant Prosecutor Alex Albu, who tried the case said that “This was as heinous, cruel and depraved as a murder can get.”
Before the muder November 19, 2015, Lopez, who was working as a handyman, was fired by Jeffrey because jewelry went missing from his home. Under financial pressure, came back to the house to confront Jeffrey.
Lopez then bludgeoned Jeffrey to death with a hammer, a screwdriver, and a wrench. The victim suffered dozens of wounds, the autopsy showed, including the death blow which was caused by a hit in the head with a hammer. When tenants of Jeffrey’s building discovered him, the ball end of the hammer was embedded in his head.
Afterwards, Lopez showered, attempted to clean up the scene with ammonia, and changed into clothes he found at the house. Lopez then went back to his residence in the Bronx and discarded clothing and evidence along the way.
“Without provocation, the victim was bludgeoned to death in his home, suffering dozens of stab wounds and other injuries all over his body. With the 50-year sentence, which essentially amounts to life in prison given the defendant’s age, justice was served today,” said Assistant Prosecutor Albu, who tried the case on behalf of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
On January 26, 2019, Lopez was convicted of murder, multiple weapons offenses, and destruction of evidence. Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve 42 years and sixth months before being eligible for parole. If he is ever released, Lopez will be on probation for five years.
