NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- A young man who admitted killing three college students in Newark, N.J., was given a sentence Thursday that will almost certainly mean he dies in prison.
Melvin Jovel, 21, received consecutive life terms for the killings plus 20 years for the attempted murder of Natasha Aeriel, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported. Jovel, who pleaded guilty in September, said almost nothing as he sat with a Spanish interpreter, although he told Superior Court Judge Michael Ravin a co-defendant who was convicted earlier this year and got multiple life sentences did not shoot anyone.
Aeriel made a courtroom statement and said she owed Jovel thanks for bringing her closer to God.
"He tried to take my life," Aeriel said. "I don't even know what to say."
Aeriel, her brother, Terrance, and two friends, Iofemi Hightower and Dashon Harvey, were shot as they hung out in a schoolyard in August 2007. All four were students at Delaware State University.
Four more defendants are being held pending trial. Investigators say the six men charged in the case are linked to MS-13, a violent Hispanic gang.
