Newark Man Convicted; Killed Man In Chicken Restaurant Robbery

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County jury has convicted a Newark man of murdering a 20-year-old fellow city resident during a robbery at a local restaurant, authorities say.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the murder took place on Jan. 8, 2015, when Durrell Hearn, 26 - who also uses the last name “Heard” - shot Tykwan Crenshaw, 20, and robbed two other people at Royal Chicken restaurant on Springfield Avenue.

On Friday, an Essex County jury convicted Hearn on all eight counts charged in the indictment --- murder, felony murder, three counts of robbery, conspiracy and weapons charges, prosecutors said.

Sentencing for Hearn is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2018. Hearn, who has three prior drug convictions, faces life in prison. Hearn also has five open robbery cases, including one in which he shot a patron and was charged with attempted murder, prosecutors said.

In addition to Hearn, his alleged fellow conspirator, Leon Trent, 30, of Newark, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and robbery charges on Feb. 2. Trent was accused of standing as the lookout during the robbery at the Royal Chicken restaurant; he faces 10 years in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 8, 2018.

“Hopefully, the resolution of the case will provide the Crenshaw family with a degree of closure,” Assistant Prosecutor Carlo Fioranelli said.

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