Former Newark resident convicted of involuntary manslaughter and weapons offenses

Newark

By: Richard L. Smith

Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Cesar Campos, 49, formerly of Newark, guilty of first-degree conspiracy to commit committing murder, aggravated manslaughter in the first degree and unlawful possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. , and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.On May 24, 2009, the defendant and his co-conspirators killed Ricky Lauracuent with a knife outside of the Pink Cat Lounge located at 386 Park Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.

The mother of his children witnessed this horrific incident.

Shortly afterward, Mr. Campos fled to the Dominican Republic to escape law enforcement.

Through the efforts of the Newark Police Department, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the United States Marshal's Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mr. Campos was located in the Dominican Republic in 2020 and taken into custody.

He was extradited to the United States more than eleven years after the murder.The case was tried by jury in May and June 2024. On June 12, 2024, the jury returned a verdict on the above counts.

The case is scheduled to go to trial before Judge Ronald D. Wigler on September 6, 2024. Mr. Campos faces up to thirty (30) years in prison.

“Mr. Lauracuent's family has waited a long time for justice in this case, but thanks to the tireless efforts of our state and federal partners, Mr. Campos will be held accountable for his crimes,” said Assistant District Attorney Carlo Fioranelli, who tried the case on behalf of State and added, “Our investigators worked on this case for over fifteen years to ensure that the Essex County Prosecutor's Office did everything in its power to bring justice to the victim's family. I hope the jury's verdict gives the family a sense of peace and closure in this tragic situation.