Man Convicted Of Toms River Murder After Covid-19-Disrupted Trial

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A New York man has been found guilty of murder in the 2018 shooting of a Brick man whose body was found on a sidewalk outside a Toms River apartment complex following a jury trial that was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Anthony Barksdale, 26, was convicted Monday of murdering Steven E. Stallworth of Brick on March 5, 2018, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Stallworth, 30, was found dead on the sidewalk outside Building D at the Hampton Gardens Apartments on James Street with a gunshot wound after a 911 call about 9:20 p.m., authorities said at the time.

The trial of Barksdale before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan started in early March but had to be suspended as restrictions went into effect to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Barksdale, also known as Shakar Barksdale, lived in Seaside Heights at the time of the shooting. He and another man, Sevon Hill, were arrested a week later.

Authorities at the time said Barksdale and Hill were sharing a motel room and that a large amount of cocaine and heroin was found in that room the night Stallworth was killed. Authorities said the two conspired to kill Stallworth, to whom Hill allegedly owed between $10,000 and $40,000 for drugs Stallworth supplied, according to an Asbury Park Press report on the detention hearing.

When the two were arrested, they were at a different motel and authorities said they were in possession of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Hill and Barksdale were indicted in August 2018 on 26 counts in connection with Stallworth's death.

Hill pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2019, before Ryan to one count of aggravated manslaughter, one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute CDS, one count of third-degree possession with intent to distribute CDS, one count of second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm, and one count of fourth-degree illegal transfer of a firearm, Billhimer's office said.

Hill agreed to plead guilty with an agreement to testify against Barksdale in exchange for a sentence of 20 years in prison, with the sentences on the various charges being served concurrently and subject to the No Early Release Act, the prosecutor's office said.

Barksdale's trial started in early March and was suspended not long after it started. Billhimer said it was permitted to resume last week.

"The judge and jury have remained steadfast in their obligations throughout this arduous process," Billhimer said. "I am truly grateful for their dedication to seeking the truth – particularly in light of the current circumstances due to Covid-19."

"I am extremely proud of the team effort exhibited by members of my office and the other law enforcement agencies involved in bringing Anthony Barksdale to justice," Billhimer said. "This was a horrendous murder, and Mr. Stallworth’s family has been forced to endure much suffering as a result. I hope this guilty verdict provides them with some level of peace and closure."

In addition to the murder charge, Barksdale was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He has been held at the Ocean County Jail since his arrest on March 12, 2018. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 19; Billhimer said the prosecutor's office is seeking a life sentence.

The case was tried by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert Cassidy. It was investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit; the Toms River Township Police Department and its Detective Bureau, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

"I would also like to compliment Judge Ryan, who presided over this trial with great care and thoughtfulness, as well as the jurors, who demonstrated a remarkable commitment to their oaths in reaching this verdict," Billhimer said.

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