Man Convicted For Fatally Beating, Running Over Cab Driver

ELIZABETH, NJ — A Union County man has been found guilty for fatally beating and hitting a livery driver with his car while a 16-month-old child was in the back seat last year, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Friday.

The incident happened in the parking lot of a local strip mall, auhorities said.

Emmanuel John, 33, of Elizabeth was convicted of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident following jury deliberations that spread over two days and a nearly month-long trial.

• See Related: Elizabeth Man Indicted For Fatally Beating Man In Parking Lot

At 4 p.m. on June 15, 2017, Elizabeth Police reported finding Imran Masood, 45, of the Avenel section of Woodbridge unconscious and suffering from multiple injuries in the parking lot of the Dunkin' Donuts on U.S. Routes 1&9 near Woodruff Lane.

Masood was transported to University Hospital in Newark for treatment but never regained consciousness. He was pronounced dead at around 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 3, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Armando Suarez, who is prosecuting the case.

A police investigation found that an argument between John and Masood quickly escalated to violence, with John allegedly striking the Masood multiple times through his open car window and then also slamming Masood's vehicle's door into him several times, according to Isenhour.

Masood then stood behind John's car to take a cell phone photo of his license plate, but before he could, John allegedly quickly put his car into reverse, striking the Masood and throwing him to the ground before speeding away from the scene, according to Isenhour.

John was arrested several days later and lodged in the Union County Jail. The endangering charge was filed because a 16-month-old child was in the back seat of John's vehicle while the alleged assault took place.

Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for Jan. 11, 2019 before Judge Daniel.

(Image via Google Maps)

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