IRVINGTON — In his testimony at trial, Lester Hayes described how Rolando Terrell brought a 9-mm handgun and a bottle of Corona full of gasoline to a robbery, then used the gun to fatally shoot four people inside a home and the beer bottle to set the home on fire. Today, jurors heard a readback of that testimony at...
IRVINGTON — In his testimony at trial, Lester Hayes described how Rolando Terrell brought a 9-mm handgun and a bottle of Corona full of gasoline to a robbery, then used the gun to fatally shoot four people inside a home and the beer bottle to set the home on fire.
Today, jurors heard a readback of that testimony at Terrell’s murder trial, before the case was adjourned for the weekend.
The jury in Superior Court in Newark will resume deliberations Monday morning, when the trial enters its fifth week. On Thursday afternoon, jurors told the judge they were deadlocked, but resumed deliberations after he instructed them to keep working at a verdict.
Terrell, 39, a reputed Bloods gang member, is charged with killing a woman and three teenagers inside the home on Sept. 8, 2008, in what prosecutors said began as a drug-related robbery.
Hayes, 50, who is Terrell’s alleged accomplice, pleaded guilty to a lesser robbery charge — carrying an expected 20-year prison sentence — in exchange for testimony at trial.
When he took the stand, Hayes provided the most detailed account of what happened inside the home that day. But on cross examination, the defense attorney charged Hayes, an ex-convict who had originally faced the same charges as Terrell, wasn’t a credible witness because he only testified to get a better deal.
Previous coverage:
• Jury to begin third day of deliberations in Irvington quadruple slaying
• Jury hears closing arguments in Irvington quadruple killing trial for reputed Bloods gang member
• Trial to resume for reputed Bloods gang member accused in Irvington quadruple killing
• Witness testifies against reputed Bloods gang member in Irvington quadruple killing trial
• Lone adult survivor recounts night of Irvington quadruple killing
• Daughter of victim killed by reputed Bloods member expected to testify in quadruple slaying trial
• Irvington quadruple slaying, arson leads to indictment against two Essex men
• Judge: Murder suspect entitled to hearing to learn nature of evidence used in his arrest
• Accused man's right to evidence at issue in Irvington quadruple slaying