June 25, 2015 patrol units in Linden, New Jersey responded to a call reporting gunshots around 11:20 PM. Upon arrival at the 300 block of East Price Street, officers found 37-year-old James Garner on the floor of a second-floor apartment with gunshot wounds.
Garner was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead. By July 1, after a lengthy investigation, the Union County Homicide Task obtained a warrant for the arrests of James Gilford, 22, of Elizabeth and Aziz Howard, 37, of Carteret.
Aziz Howard was promptly arrested the following day at his home in Carteret. James Gilford, also known as “Baby James” remained on the run for nearly two weeks until his arrest on July 13. Each men’s bails were set at $2 million.
Following an extensive investigation by the Linden Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department’s Ballistics Unit and the Prosecutor’s Office’s Homicide Task Force, the two men were charged with aggravated manslaughter and weapon charges. The motive for the killing is believed to have been a robbery gone wrong.
Howard’s sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2017, the State is expected to suggest a sentence for 20 years in prison. Gilford’s sentencing is scheduled for July 18, in his case 24 years will be recommended. Under the circumstances of the homicide, the defendants would have to complete 85% of their sentences before they are eligible for parole. They are held in the Union County Jail and will appear before Superior Court Judge John Deitch.
