N.J. MAN KILLED HIS GIRLFRIEND IN FRONT OF A COP. NOW, HE GETS ANOTHER SHOT AT FREEDOM.

A New Jersey man convicted for killing his child's mother now heads to court for a new trial.

New Jersey Supreme Court granted Andre Higgs, 47, a new trial for the shooting death of Latrena May. Higgs had been convicted of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and hindering. The verdict came after an Essex County jury deliberated for an hour and 45 mins before being sentenced by Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler in 2017.

The Supreme Court ruling stated the prosecutor's office erred regarding the evidence produced and its admissibility during the initial trial. According to prosecutors, on May 1, 2015, May had a heated argument with the defendant in front of her East Orange home on the 100 Block of Tremont Avenue. Then, the 27-year-old school teacher flagged down Detective Kemon Lee, then a patrol officer, for help. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer witnessed Higgs shoot the victim before returning fire and striking the defendant in the leg . May was declared dead at the scene, while Higgs was transported to the hospital, reported ABC 7.  

In addition, authorities found a .45-caliber Astra semi-automatic pistol behind bags of rock salt in the home’s hallway. Ballistics matched the gun as the murder weapon.

The ruling held that Higgs’ defense team should have had access to Lee’s internal affairs file with the East Orange Police Department. Secondly,  his lawyers should have been allowed to cross-examine the responding officer about his shooting record while on duty. Lastly, the ruling stated that Wigler erred in allowing Detective Kevin Green to testify based on his opinion that the defendant had a gun in his waistband while watching footage from a dashcam during the trial.

“The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the family of the victim Latrena May are disappointed by today’s decision. However, we respect the ruling of the New Jersey Supreme Court. That being said, there is overwhelming proof of Andre Higgs’ guilt of purposeful and knowing murder as well as other offenses, and we look forward to bringing Mr. Higgs to justice,” stated the prosecutor’s office, according to NJ.com.  

May worked at Pride Academy in East Orange. The couple’s daughter was four years old at the time of the incident.