Orange Man Indicted for Murder of Maplewood Man

An Orange, N.J. man was indicted today for the murder of a Maplewood man he met in an online chat room.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an indictment was returned by an Essex County grand jury charging John Staten, 32, with the murder of Arthur S. Downey, III, in Maplewood on March 14, 2010.

Staten and Downey, 27, met in a chat room and then arranged to meet in person, said Murray. Downey was murdered by bludgeoning and asphyxiation which occurred at his Maplewood home on Henry Place. He was found unresponsive in his bed.

In addition to murder, Staten was indicted on two weapons offenses arising from his alleged unlawful use of an iron as a bludgeon. He was also indicted on theft charges for unlawfully taking Downey’s 2007 Chevrolet and allegedly stealing an X-Box and other property valued at more than $500.

Staten is scheduled to be arraigned on these charges on July 5 before Superior Court Judge Peter J. Vazquez.

Last October, then Acting Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino said that the investigation would be referred to the Bias Crimes division of the Prosecutor's Office. However, today, Katherine Carter of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said that there were no bias crime charges against Staten.

If convicted of all the charges, Staten would face life in prison.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips hotline at 1-877-TIPS-7432 (1-877-847-7432).