Man Sentenced For Beating Another To Death After Argument In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — An Elizabeth man was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty in connection with the death of Sharieff Franklin in 2024, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Michael Bates, 44, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison on June 5 for first-degree aggravated manslaughter, after pleading guilty on April 20, the Prosecutor’s Office said.

The fatal assault reportedly happened in Elizabeth following an argument in May 2024.

Police went to the 60th block of 3rd Street, where they found a 44-year-old Franklin unresponsive, who was later pronounced dead, authorities said.

An investigation determined the incident happened after an argument the night before, during which Bates hit Franklin multiple times in the face, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and classified the manner of death as a homicide.

Under the sentence, Bates must serve 85 percent of his term before becoming eligible for parole under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.

"I hope this sentence can provide some assurance to the victim and his family, as well as the community, that we will not tolerate these egregious offenses and will expend all of our efforts to bring offenders to justice," said UCPO William Daniel.