New Details In 2008 Mercer Co. Cold Case Killing Lead To 2 Charged With Murder

EWING, NJ — New DBNA evidence and information in a 16-year-old cold case killing in Ewing has led to the arrests of two men, announced Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri.

Breyon Goodman, 36, of Trenton, and Jason Howard, 41, are each charged by complaint with murder (first-degree), felony murder (first-degree), and robbery (first-degree) in connection with the 2008 robbery and fatal beating of Leroy Julious in Ewing Township.

Goodman was arrested in Trenton on April 1, by members of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.

Howard, 41, was served his complaints in Rhode Island, where he is incarcerated for an unrelated incident.

On May 9, 2008, a caller reported Leroy Julious was injured and on the ground, bleeding, according to the public documents filed in the case.

Ewing Police Officers saw a vehicle parked diagonally in front of a home at the scene. There were multiple people on the scene, including Howard, who was standing outside the open driver’s door of the vehicle, said Platkin.

Witnesses directed officers to Julious, who was lying on the ground in a gravel lot. The victim had severe head trauma, with blood on his face, head, and neck, and officers noticed his pockets were turned inside out, said Platkin.

Julious was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation revealed robbery to be a potential motive in the case as Julious was known to carry money and his wallet was not on him when he was found.

The investigation also indicated that the assault on Julious started in the garage carport of a nearby house and his body was dragged to the empty gravel lot, according to the complaint affidavit.

In March 2023, the Mercer County Homicide Task Force got new information and the case was reopened and presented to the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability’s (OPIA’s) Regional Cold Case Task Force.

In the fall of 2023, all viable physical evidence was resubmitted to the NJSP Central Regional Laboratory, including DNA evidence. Technological advancements in forensic science provided new information related to the case.

"For 16 years the senseless, cruel death of Leroy Julious has gone unsolved," said Platkin. "But law enforcement did not forget, and did not give up. We hope the charges bring a measure of relief to the victim's grieving loved ones."

"Dogged detective work, technological advances, inter-agency cooperation, and a shared, unflagging desire for answers and accountability for this terrible crime have brought about these charges," said Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. "This development in this long-dormant case demonstrates the effectiveness of the cooperation and capabilities of the Cold Case Network."

"These detectives are relentless in the pursuit of justice," said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. "The technological and investigative resources made possible through this collaboration of law enforcement agencies are invaluable, and I’m grateful to the Attorney General’s Office for the formation of the Cold Case Task Force. Now we are able to announce charges and provide Mr. Julious’ family with answers after all of these years."

Authorities are continuing to investigate this murder and are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact MCHTF detectives at 609-989-6406 or mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

Goodman and Howard could face a sentence exposure of 30 years to life in state prison and fine of up to $200,000 on the first-degree murder and felony murder crimes. They also could face a sentence of up to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000 on the first-degree robbery crime.

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