Man's 2021 Shooting Death Ruled Reckless Manslaughter By Passaic Co. Jury

PATERSON, NJ — A Bergen County man has been convicted of reckless manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of a Paterson resident, said the Passaic County Prosecutor.

Naszhere Jones, 25, of South Hackensack, was originally charged with murder in the March 2021 shooting death of 35-year-old Jaquan Harrison. A jury returned the lesser charge of reckless manslaughter on Sept. 28, said Prosecutor Camelia Valdes' office.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Jones shot Harrison "once at close range in the back" after an argument on the afternoon of March 3, 2021 and then fled the area, said officials. Responding Paterson Police officers found Harrison, of Paterson, inside a building near North 6th and Clinton streets that afternoon, officials said.

The United States Marshal Service and local authorities arrested Jones on July 2, 2021 in Old Bridge after identifying him as a suspect, officials said.

Jury selection began on Aug. 7, 2023, Valdes' office said. After a day and a half of deliberations, the jury returned its verdicts of guilty for reckless manslaughter, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, officials said.

Passaic County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Evan Mongiardo represented the state during the jury trial, and Mark Bailey Esq. represented Jones, Valdes' office said.

Judge Justine Niccollai will schedule a sentencing date, Valdes said.

Sentencing exposure for each of these crimes is between 5 and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison; on the reckless manslaughter charge, 85 percent of the sentence must be served before parole eligibility, officials said. On the weapons charges, 42 months of the sentence must be served before parole eligibility.