newjerseynewsroom.com

She was caught in the crossfire of a botched gang hit

Manfred J. Younger of Camden man was found guilty of murder Friday in the slaying of Tierra Pressley, who was shot in 2007 when he opened fire on a man in a botched hit.

However, co-defendant, Anthony D. Parker, 27, also of Camden, was acquitted of all the charges.

The verdicts came after the jury deliberated nine hours following a seven-week trial before state Superior Court Judge Gwendolyn Blue on Camden.

The jury found Younger, 24, guilty of first-degree murder for gunning down Pressley, 24, of Woodlynne, on June 17, 2007 in Camden. The jury also found Younger guilty of first-degree attempted murder in the shooting of Adrien Jackson, who was the primary target but who survived his wounds. Younger was also found guilty of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder; second- and third-degree counts of aggravated assault related to Jackson; second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; third-degree unlawful possession of a handgun; and two counts of third-degree endangering an injured victim.

On the murder charge, Younger faces a sentence of life in state prison, including 30 years without possibility of parole. He faces additional time on the other charges. Judge Blue scheduled Younger to be sentenced on June 15.

“This verdict brings a measure of justice for Tierra Pressley, a young woman who was senselessly gunned down by this defendant as he attempted to kill a man who had disrespected his criminal associates,” state Attorney General Paula T. Dow said. “I want to thank the jury for its careful attention to the evidence and testimony, which was heartbreaking at times.”

“Our attorney and all of the investigators from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Camden Police Department worked steadfastly to build this case and prove it to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt,” state Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor said. “They deserve great credit for this conviction.”

Pressley was shot about 2:30 a.m. as she spoke with Jackson, then 32 years old, in a parking lot at Seventh and Sycamore streets in Camden. Pressley had just left a bar called the Seventh and Kaighns Lounge with a female cousin. According to the evidence and testimony at trial, Younger walked into the parking lot with semi-automatic handgun and opened fire, discharging multiple rounds. Pressley was shot multiple times in the back, torso, arm and leg. Jackson was shot in the chest, abdomen and arm.

Pressley’s cousin rushed her to the hospital in a car, but she was pronounced dead within minutes of arrival. Jackson, who was critically wounded, was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He was discharged about a month later.

The state presented testimony, based on statements Younger made to witnesses, that he was ordered to kill Jackson because he had disrespected some of his associates. One witness testified that Younger said he carried out the shooting of Jackson as a “Bloods initiation hit.” According to the testimony, Pressley was shot because she was in the way.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kristen M. Harberg. It was investigated by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and the Camden police. Analyst Terri Drumm provided trial assistance. The lead investigators were Senior Investigator Diane Wilson of the Camden Prosecutor’s Office and Det, Wayne Matthews of the Camden police.

—TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM