Newark Man Murdered Girlfriend, Found Guilty: Essex Prosecutor

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man was found guilty of murder after he stabbed and strangled his longtime girlfriend last year, prosecutors announced Friday.

An Essex County jury convicted Nasean Torres, 49, of Newark, of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose on Thursday after a three-week trial.

Torres killed Elizabeth Kelley, 55, of Newark, on July 22, 2022. She is a mother and grandmother, prosecutors noted.

Police arrived at a home on the 40-block of Palm Street to find Kelley’s body lying on the basement floor. Investigators later determined that she died from manual strangulation and multiple stab wounds, authorities said.

Torres faces up to life in New Jersey state prison and must serve at least 30 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole, prosecutors said.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 9.

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