Newark Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Shooting Girlfriend's Ex

A city man who shot his girlfriend’s former boyfriend two years ago was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Akmal Barnhill, 35, of Newark, went to the ex-girlfriend’s Irvington home March 21, 2011, to pick up some of his things. When Barnhill arrived, the girlfriend and her new boyfriend, 26-year-old Abdul Holman of Newark, were at the home.

The men argued briefly before Barnhill left the house. An armed Holman chased after  Barnhill, shot him three times in the back, tossed the gun in a neighbor’s yard and fled.

The jury deliberated for about six hours before finding Holman guilty of first degree attempted murder and weapons offenses.

Under the No Early Release Act, Holman must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.