2 Convicted Of Murder Conspiracy In Asbury Park Drive-By Shooting

ASBURY PARK, NJ – Two New Jersey men were convicted of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder by a Monmouth County jury last week in connection with a 2019 drive-by double shooting in Asbury Park.

Jonathan M. Marvine, 27, of Sayreville and Gary R. Brooks Jr., 30, of Neptune City were convicted before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill G. O’Malley on Friday in connection with the incident that left two hospitalized. Brooks was additionally convicted of first-degree attempted murder and several related weapons offenses.

According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019, a shooting was reported in the area of Monroe and Ridge avenues in Asbury Park. The two shooting victims, an 18-year-old male resident of Asbury Park and a 28-year-old resident of Neptune Township, were treated at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

A joint investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park and Neptune Township police departments, assisted by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, resulted in Marvine and Brooks quickly being identified as suspects in the case.

The pair were arrested the night of the shooting at a home on the 400 block of Myrtle Avenue in Neptune City after traffic cameras were used to track the white Hyundai Sonata used in the crime.

The defendants were indicted in October 2019.

“This was a brazen, calculated act of brutality emblematic of the serious issue of gun violence that has plagued the neighborhood where it took place for far too long,” Acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey said. “We thank the jury for their service in ensuring that those responsible have been brought to justice – thereby also making that neighborhood safer.”

Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for Friday, January 7, 2022, when Marvine will face a term of 10 to 20 years in state prison; Brooks faces up to life in prison.