Crime & Safety
‘Vigilantes’ Murdered Newark Teen, Sentenced To 100 Years In Jail: ECPO
"We hope these lengthy sentences send a clear message that vigilante justice will not be tolerated," a county prosecutor said.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Two Essex County residents were sentenced to a combined 100 years in prison after they murdered a teenager in an act of “vigilante justice,” prosecutors announced Thursday.
Felicia Bynum, 51, and James Headen, 33 – both Newark residents – opened fire on a stolen white 2022 Lexus SUV involved in a robbery spree, a car crash and a shootout in the city on Aug. 17, 2023, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Surveillance footage showed Bynum and Headen chase the stolen SUV throughout the city’s South Ward after witnessing multiple robberies take place.
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Kiman Mays, 17, of Newark, was killed in the ensuing gunfire. The driver of the stolen car – Lonnell Carruthers, 29, of Irvington – was wounded, authorities said.
Prosecutors previously said that Carruthers and a third occupant of the Lexus – Yusuf Julious, 21, of Bound Brook – were charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree receiving stolen property and weapons offenses.
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In June 2025, Bynum and Headen were convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and second-degree weapons charges.
On Thursday, prosecutors announced that Headen was sentenced to 40 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of Kiman Mays, to be served consecutive to a 10-year sentence for the shooting of Lonnell Carruthers, for a total sentence of 50 years.
Felicia Bynum received the same sentence: 40 years for the murder of Kiman Mays, consecutive to 10 years for the shooting Lonnell Carruthers, for a total of 50 years in prison.
“While nothing can bring back the life that was taken, we hope these 50-year sentences bring some measure of comfort to the family,” Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab said.
“We also hope these lengthy sentences send a clear message that vigilante justice will not be tolerated and will be met with serious consequences,” Edwab added.
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