WOODBRIDGE — Two men were convicted this morning in New Brunswick of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a Woodbridge man not far from his home in August 2008. Allan Eaford, 29, and Shakeil Price, 29, were also convicted of weapons charges for shooting Sergio Soto, 24, to death in the early morning hours of Aug. 2,...
Shakeil Price, pictured, and Allan Eaford were convicted today of murdering Sergio Soto, of Woodbridge, following an argument Perth Amboy bar in 2008.WOODBRIDGE — Two men were convicted this morning in New Brunswick of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a Woodbridge man not far from his home in August 2008.
Allan Eaford, 29, and Shakeil Price, 29, were also convicted of weapons charges for shooting Sergio Soto, 24, to death in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2008.
Authorities said an argument at a bar in Perth Amboy led to the shooting which was caught on tape from a resident's private video camera on Glenn Drive in the Keasbey section of Woodbridge.
"I'm very gratified the jury reached the verdict they did," said Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Neil Casey who presented the case against the two men. "I'm sure Mr. Soto's family is equally gratified."
The verdict came after the jury deliberated about 10 hours beginning Tuesday afternoon and ending about 9:30 a.m. this morning.The trial before Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz last about seven days.
Casey told the jury Eaford and Soto both lived on Glenn Drive and were involved in an argument at the bar during a party that escalated from words to pushing and shoving.
Witnesses testified at trial that Soto struck Eaford with a bottle and Eaford struck Soto.
Both men left and later, joined by Price, met up on Glenn Drive hours later.
The video showed Eaford talk to a man identified as Price, then go into his house and come out with a gun. He handed the weapon to Price who shot Soto, according to testimony at trial.
George Somers, who represented Price, said "we will appeal."
Both men have been held in the Middlesex County jail in lieu of $1 million bail each since their arrest. They will be sentenced in September.
Previous Coverage
• Trial begins for two N.J. men charged in 2008 Woodbridge slaying
• Accused shooter in Woodbridge murder caught
• Woodbridge man shot and killed early this morning