An Essex County Grand Jury returned a nine-count indictment Thursday against the man charged with murdering Livingston teenager Brendan Tevlin last June.
The indictment charges Ali Muhammad Brown, a 30-year-old Seattle resident, with murder and two counts of terrorism, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.
This is the first murder case in New Jersey in which a defendant has been charge with terrorism under state law, said Murray.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office also dismissed all charges against two co-defendents, Eric Williams, 19, and Jeremy Villagran, 20, of West Orange, who were arrested and charged along with Brown in August 2014.
Tevlin, a 19-year-old Seton Hall Prep graduate who had recently finished his freshman year at the University of Richmond, was gunned down on Northfield Avenue on June 25 while driving home. The eldest of four children, he was the grandson of retired Maplewood firefighter Tom Tevlin and nephew of Maplewood Fire Deputy Chief Joseph Callaghan.
Addressing the media after the arrests last August of the three men, Tevlin’s mother Allison decried the country’s “epidemic” of gun violence and said she hoped other families might be spared a similar agony.
Here is the complete release from Murray’s office:
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a nine-count indictment charging Ali Muhammad Brown, 30, of Seattle, Washington with two counts of terrorism, one count of murder and other charges for killing Brendan Tevlin, 19, of Livingston on June 25, 2014.
This is the first murder case in New Jersey in which a defendant has been charged with terrorism under state law. Acting Prosecutor Murray sought and obtained the permission of Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman to present the charge to the grand jury against Brown, a self-described Muslim.
“As the investigation continued, evidence was developed, including evidence subsequent to arrest, which led to the decision to seek terrorism charges against Brown,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray.
In addition to terrorism and murder, Brown is charged with felony murder, carjacking, robbery and multiple weapons offenses, including possession of hollow point bullets, according to Assistant Prosecutor Jamel Semper, who is handling the case.
The indictment alleges, Tevlin, who was home after completing his freshman year at the University of Richmond, was shot multiple times while stopped at a traffic light at Walker Road and Northfield Avenue in West Orange by Brown, according to Assistant Prosecutor Semper.
Shortly before the murder, Tevlin contacted a family member and indicated he was on his way home. He was coming from visiting friends.
Today, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the charges against two co-defendants, Eric Williams, 19, and Jeremy Villagran, 20, both West Orange, who were arrested and charged in August of 2014 with Brown.
“Based on the evidence and the information we have at this time, we believe this is the appropriate course of action,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray.
As we have stated in the past, the investigation in this case is active and ongoing. It remains so. Consequently, we are unable to make any further statements regarding the case at this time.
Brown is expected to be arraigned on Aug. 4, before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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