Killer sentenced for shooting ‘innocent and unsuspecting’ father of 2 over fender-bender – NJ.com

A man was sentenced Friday to 25 years in state prison for killing a father of two who rear-ended his car in East Orange.

Jerome Bearfield, 28, of Newark, must serve 85 percent of his prison term, which was imposed by Essex County Presiding Judge Ronald D. Wigler, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced.

Bearfield in August pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and a weapons offense in the slaying of Basil Howard, of East Orange.

“This was a fender-bender that resulted in the fatal shooting of an innocent and unsuspecting victim. It’s hard to imagine a more senseless and unprovoked act of violence,” said Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Adam Wells, who handled the case. “Hopefully this sentencing can bring some closure to Mr. Howard’s family and friends.’’

The killing occurred May 5, 2018 when Howard struck Bearfield’s car, according to prosecutors. Bearfield, who was driving home from his mother’s birthday party, got out and shot the driver with a .38 revolver.

Bearfield and Howard did not know each other, authorities previously said. The attack happened near North Grove Street and Hoffman Boulevard.

Howard, a 51-year-old optometrist who worked in Jersey City, married his high school sweetheart, according to his obituary. They raised two children together.

“He was very social and people loved being around him. He was very loving and anyone could feel his love being in his presence,” the obituary stated.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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