Recorded statement of defendant in Newark schoolyard triple shooting to be played in court

NEWARK — The statement Alexander Alfaro gave police shortly after getting charged in the schoolyard triple killing will be played in court Wednesday at his murder trial, but it will not include any reference to the alleged sexual assault of two female victims. Alfaro, 20, is one of six young men charged in the Aug. 4, 2007 shooting, but...

NEWARK — The statement Alexander Alfaro gave police shortly after getting charged in the schoolyard triple killing will be played in court Wednesday at his murder trial, but it will not include any reference to the alleged sexual assault of two female victims.

Alfaro, 20, is one of six young men charged in the Aug. 4, 2007 shooting, but is not charged with sexual assault.

His trial in Superior Court, which began March 1, continues this morning.

On the tape, Alfaro makes reference to one of his co-defendants, Shahid Baskerville, sexually assaulting one of the victims. Prosecutors say Iofemi Hightower and Natasha Aeriel were sexually assaulted during the attack.

Hightower and Dashon Harvey, both 20, and Terrance Aeriel, 18, were lined up against a school wall and shot in the head. They died. Terrance's sister, Natasha Aeriel, was shot in the head but survived.

Prosecutors said Alfaro, who was arrested on Aug. 18, 2007, in Virginia, told police in his hour-long statement that he attacked Hightower with a machete that night.

Alfaro’s half-brother Rodolfo Godinez was convicted last year after a trial. His statement to police was also played in court. Melvin Jovel, another defendant, admitted to shooting all four victims that night. Both are serving life sentences.

Previous coverage:

• Interpreter for juvenile suspect's mother in Newark schoolyard killings says she waived Miranda rights

• Authorities link gun used in Newark schoolyard triple killing to N.Y.C. case

• Gun found in Long Island home is linked to triple fatal Newark schoolyard shooting, prosecutors say

• Autopsy directly links defendant to Newark schoolyard slayings, prosecutors say

• Newark schoolyard slayings victim was attacked with machete, medical examiner says

• One victim in triple fatal Newark schoolyard shooting had his mouth open when he was shot, expert testifies

• Two coroners to testify in Newark schoolyard slayings trial

• Lone survivor in Newark schoolyard triple slaying recounts harrowing experience at trial