Story by Reporter Eloize
Sheedley Pierre, 22, of Orange, NJ was convicted of felony murder, robbery, conspiracy, employing a juvenile in a crime, and weapons offenses for his role in the murder of Jonas Larose, 55, of East Orange.
On November 30, 2016, Pierre and a 14-year-old juvenile called a cab and attempted to rob Larose when he arrived. Later, at 11 p.m, police found Larose in his cab with two gunshot wounds. Witnesses reported that at the time of the shooting, they heard popping sounds and saw Larose and the juvenile flee on foot. Witnesses also reported that they heard them laughing, saying that they had just killed the taxi cab driver.
Pierre gave detectives at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office a statement that admits being at the scene and that it was going to be a robbery but denied involvement.
DNA from a bloody jacket and Facebook messages linked the victim to Pierre.
“Mr. Larose was a hardworking family man who was simply trying to make an honest living when his life was taken…” Assistant Prosecutor Jason Goldberg, who tried the case, said. “…Hopefully, the jury’s verdict will give them some sense of justice.”
The 14 year old juvenile was sentenced to 10 years and is not being identified because he was tried as a juvenile. Pierre faces 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison when we will be sentenced.
