Crime & Safety

Newark Man Pleads Guilty to 2010 Slaying of World War II Vet

Robert Nevius was strangled and stabbed to death in his Essex Fells home.

A Newark man pleaded guilty Thursday to killing a 91-year-old World War II veteran while he was alone in his Essex Fells home four years ago, according authorities.

Shawn Woodson, 28, pleaded guilty before Judge Peter Vazquez in Newark to aggravated manslaughter and conspiracy to commit burglary in connection with the 2010 killing of Robert Nevius, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray. 

The murder marked the first in 30 years in the sleepy suburban town with a population of slightly more than 2,000.

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Woodson is facing 10 years in state prison when he is sentenced on March 4 before Judge Vazquez. 

Nevius was strangled and stabbed to death in April 2010 in his home on Fells Road, where he had lived for 50 years. Essex Fells police found the veteran alone and unresponsive after a relative requested someone check on him, according to the prosecutor's office. 

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Nevius was killed after Reginald Anthony, 32, of East Orange, who was working as a chauffeur, drove Nevius’ wife Janet to New York City where she was staying overnight for business. Anthony was filling in for his aunt who had been the couple’s regular chauffeur. 

Knowing Nevius was alone, Anthony met up with Woodson to carry out the murder.

Anthony was found guilty in November 2012 of one count of conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary, according to the prosecutor's office. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of murder, felony murder, robbery and weapons offenses.

Anthony was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison because of his prior criminal history.


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