Man Strangled Franklin Man During Robbery At Somerset County Family's Home

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Brooklyn man was convicted of murdering Artis Timothy Young, 46, of Franklin, during a robbery involving marijuana at a Township home.

Daniel Matthews, 45, of Brooklyn, New York, was convicted by a Somerset County jury on Monday following a two-week trial.

Matthews was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to disturb human remains, second-degree disturbing human remains, and two counts of third-degree hindering apprehension.

Evidence showed Young was murdered at Matthews' family home in Franklin Township during a robbery that involved a large quantity of marijuana, according to authorities.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 25, at which time the Matthews faces up to life in prison on the murder charge.

On Dec. 30, 2023, Franklin Township Police received a missing person report from a family member regarding Young. An investigation into the whereabouts of Young determined that Young had plans to meet with Matthews in Franklin Township on Dec. 29, 2023.

During the early morning hours of Dec. 30, 2023, Young was found dead in Brooklyn, New York. An autopsy was conducted by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office which ruled the cause and manner of Young's death as homicide by ligature strangulation, according to authorities.

As a result of this investigation, Andrew Mumby and Daniel Matthews were identified as suspects in the death of Young. Read More: 2 Men Indicted For Murder, Robbery Of Franklin Man

Following the homicide, Matthews and Mumby took Young's remains in the trunk of Young's own vehicle to the location in Brooklyn, New York where Young's body was found, according to authorities.

Surveillance video showed both men at multiple locations with the victim’s car in the 12 hours after the homicide with Matthews often in possession of cleaning supplies for the car. Matthews' cellphone placed him at the scene of the killing, the disposal of the body, and the abandonment of the victim’s car, said authorities.

Young's blood and DNA were found in the trunk of his car, on the floor of the garage at the Matthews' family home in Franklin Township, and on the sweatsuit Matthews was wearing on the surveillance video in the case, according to police.

Matthews' own DNA was also found on that sweatsuit with the Young's blood. A witness testified that the homicide happened during a robbery connected with a large quantity of marijuana that night, said police.

Andrew Mumby has pled guilty to participating in the crime.

The two-week trial was held before New Jersey Superior Court Judge the Honorable Angela F. Borkowski, and was presented by Somerset County Assistant Prosecutors William A. Guhl and Terence Ford with the assistance of paralegals Amy Vandergoot and Tiffany Gordon.

The investigation was conducted by the Franklin Township Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, and the New York City Police Department, with assistance from the New Jersey State Police and the FBI.

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