Four Plead Guilty In Robbery-Turned-Murder In Union County: Prosecutor

ELIZABETH, NJ — All four men admitted to their roles in connection with an attempted robbery that resulted in the murder of a Brooklyn man in Elizabeth nearly three years ago, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Tuesday.

Ali Garner, 31 and Keon Lewis, 32, both of Elizabeth, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of 41-year-old Mamuka Chamiashvili. Co-defendants Larry Jones, 35, of Elizabeth and 38-year-old Travis Picou of Paterson had previously pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree robbery.

Chamiashvili went to the area of Jacques and East Jersey streets in Elizabeth on Sept. 16, 2014 around 10:15 p.m. in response to an online posting on Craigslist advertising a Mercedes-Benz SUV for sale, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Albert Cernadas Jr., who prosecuted the case. Elizabeth Police reported.

After the test drive, a physical altercation ensued and gunshots were fired, Cernadas said.

Chamiashvili was found fatally shot in the street and pronounced dead at the scene by Elizabeth Police.

Lewis was charged in October 2014 following a week-long effort by the Prosecutor’s Office, the Elizabeth Police Department, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office to locate and arrest him.

Garner was arrested by members of the Union County Homicide Task Force the week before. Picou and Jones were arrested and charged in January 2015 and December 2015, respectively.

Sentencing of Garner and Lewis has been scheduled for Friday, Sept. 8, at which time the State will recommend terms of 27 years in state prison apiece, with at least 85 percent of those terms to be served before the possibility of parole.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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