Newark Resident Convicted of Murder and Robbery
By: Moe M.
On December 11, 2017, a jury of the Essex County Superior Court has convicted Durrel Hearn, a twenty-six (26) year old resident of Newark, New Jersey of Felony Murder. He has been convicted of murdering Tykwan Crenshaw during a robbery of a chicken restaurant. The matter appeared at the Essex County Superior Court in front of the Honorable Michael L. Ravin for a one-week trial
Mr. Crenshaw was fatally shot by Hearn during the robbery of a chicken restaurant known as Royal Chicken Restaurant. Aside from the already committed robbery and murder, Mr. Hearn was convicted of robbing two other individuals as well.
The Essex County jury convicted Hearn on all eight (8) counts charged in the indictment. He is being charged with murder, felony murder, three counts of robbery, conspiracy and weapons charges.
Mr. Hearn is scheduled for sentencing on February 5, 2018. Hearn did not have a clean background either. He has three (3) previous drug convictions and five (5) open robbery cases including one where he shot at an individual with a firearm. Hearn faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Hearn’s accomplice, Leon Trent, a thirty (30) year old Newark resident, was charged with conspiracy and robbery. Mr. Trent was station outside of the chicken restaurant during the incident, keeping a lookout for any law enforcement. Mr. Trent will be sentenced on January 8, 2018 and is facing ten (10) years in N.J. State Prison.
All persons are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
