NJ Man Convicted Of ‘Crime Spree’ That Killed Newark Mom: Prosecutor

NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County man has been convicted of vehicular homicide and several other charges after he was involved in a “crime spree” that killed a 29-year-old mother in Newark, authorities said Thursday.

Najeeh Green, 30, of Newark, was involved a series of incidents in May 2018 that resulted in a man being shot in Newark, a woman being carjacked at gunpoint in East Orange as she unloaded packages from her car and ultimately, the death of Priscilla Godoy, 29, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Godoy’s skull was crushed when she was pinned between two parked cars on South 14th Street as she tried to avoid a stolen Jeep Cherokee that was driven by Green, who was trying to escape police. She was rushed to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, prosecutors said.

Following a nine-day trial, an Essex County jury returned a verdict on Wednesday, finding Green guilty of all 11 counts he faced. In addition to felony murder, vehicular homicide, and manslaughter while fleeing police, the jury also found him guilty of aggravated assault on the shooting victim, carjacking of the woman in Newark, conspiracy to commit carjacking and aggravated assault and multiple weapons offenses.

Green, who has three prior felony convictions, faces life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13, prosecutors said.

“The defendant victimized three families,” said assistant prosecutor Jason Goldberg, who tried the case with assistant prosecutor Brian Olsen. “Because of the courage of those who survived, we were able to bring justice to the Godoy family, as well as those who were carjacked and shot.”

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com