An Essex County Court jury found Edwin Andujar, 53, guilty of murder on June 23, 2017. Andujar, of Belleville, New Jersey, was convicted of first-degree murder and weapon charges for the stabbing of his roommate.
The incident took place on August 7, 2014 when Andujar got into an argument with his roommate Thomas Parent, 59. The argument arose from the fact that Andujar was unemployed and not paying his share of rent. When Parent told him he had to move out, Andujar found a steak knife and began to stab Parent repeatedly. When the incident occurred, Parent had just been released from a rehabilitation center and was therefor in a wheelchair. He endured twelve stab wounds in his torso, back, and groin.
At first, Andujar was indicted with attempted murder charges, but when Parent passed away five days later on August 12, 2014, the charges were subsequently raised to murder. Thus, Andujar was found guilty of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
The charges for which he was found guilty could lead to a sentencing of 30 years to life in state prison. Andujar awaits his sentencing, scheduled for August 17, before Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin, at the Essex County Correctional Facility.
Tags: Essex County, Murder
