3rd Suspect Arrested In Newark, N.J., Shootings; Another Pleads Not Guilty

Friday, August 10th 2007, 7:52 pm

By: News On 6

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ A third suspect was arrested Friday in the execution-style killings of three college students, hours after a man pleaded not guilty in a crime that shocked this violence-weary city.

Information on the new suspect was not immediately released. Authorities had earlier said they were questioning a juvenile in connection with the slayings.

The latest arrest was announced several hours after Jose Carranza, 28, pleaded not guilty to three charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and robbery. Victims' relatives questioned why the illegal immigrant from Peru had been granted bail this year on assault and child rape charges.

``I believe in a higher power, but I can't help but think that had (authorities) done their job in the beginning, this might not have happened,'' said Latasia Harvey, 22, a cousin of victim Dashon Harvey.

A 15-year-old boy pleaded not guilty to the same charges Thursday and remains in custody, Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Thomas McTigue said. Authorities are seeking to have him tried as an adult.

Authorities said they were still looking for others involved in the execution-style shootings, which have ratcheted up anger in New Jersey's largest city. The overall crime rate has declined, but the number of killings to date, 60, is nearly even with last year's pace of 63.

The killings have prompted billboards in the downtown area that scream, ``HELP WANTED: Stop the Killings in Newark Now!''

``We believe there are other suspects out there,'' Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow said after the arraignment. She called Carranza a ``significant suspect'' but declined to elaborate on his role in the shootings or comment on his prior charges.

Carranza, 28, was indicted by grand juries in New Jersey twice this year _ in April on aggravated assault and weapons charges; and in July on 31 counts including aggravated sexual assault of a child and endangering the welfare of a child he had a duty to supervise.

He was released on $50,000 bail on the assault case, which stemmed from a barroom fight, and $150,000 bail on the sexual assault indictment, which charged that the abuse began in 2003 when the girl was 4 years old and continued to this year.

The prosecutor handling the fight case, Christopher Y. Iu, said the office did not check Carranza's immigration status. A prosecutor supervising the sex assault case, Mark S. Ali, said the office probably believed Carranza had legal immigration status because of his application for a court-appointed attorney. Carranza now has a private lawyer.

Dow would not answer questions about why Carranza was released on bail on the previous charges despite his immigration status.

In a later interview on CNN, Dow said the ``uproar'' over his immigration status is ``going to have to wait for another day.''

``We realize that's an issue out here in our criminal justice system, and we are addressing it,'' Dow said.

On Friday, Carranza could barely be heard in the courtroom as Mayor Cory A. Booker and relatives of the victims watched.

State Superior Court Judge Michael R. Casale continued the $1 million bail and ordered that Carranza be held apart from other inmates at the Essex County jail for his protection.

Carranza's lawyer, Felix Lopez Montalvo, declined to comment after the hearing.

Authorities do not believe the four victims knew their assailants. Carranza and the 15-year-old are not related, Dow said. The teen's name was not released because of his age.

The four victims, friends ages 18 to 20, were shot while visiting in a school yard not far from their homes Saturday night. Authorities have said robbery appeared to be the motive.

Terrance Aeriel, 18, Dashon Harvey, 20, and Iofemi Hightower, 20, were forced to kneel against a wall and were shot at close range. The fourth victim, 19-year-old Natasha Aeriel, Terrance Aeriel's sister, survived a wound to her head and is hospitalized.

Natasha Aeriel was able to help authorities identify the suspects, the mayor said. Officials said fingerprints on a bottle found at the shooting scene and ballistics evidence also tied Carranza to the crime.

All four victims were planning to attend Delaware State University this fall. Instead, three will be buried Saturday.