Suspect In West Orange Murder of Livingston Teen Released On Bail

One man charged in the murder of a Livingston teen has been released from jail on bail while another enters a not guilty plea. A third suspect is being held on $1 million bail while a fourth may be still be at large, reports say.

Three men are being prosecuted in connection with the death of Brendan Tevlin, a 19-year-old Seton Hall Prep grad from Livingston, during an apparent robbery attempt on June 25 in West Orange. The teen was found suffering from fatal gun shot wounds outside a Northfield Avenue apartment building in West Orange.

Eric Williams, 19 was released on Jan. 23 on $500,000 bail – an amount that was cut in half after a judge approved a request submitted by the defense, according to NJ.com.

Jeremy Villagran, 19, and Eric Williams, 18, both of West Orange, have each been charged with felony murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. A fourth suspect may still be at large, NJ.com reports.

Meanwhile, Ali Muhammad Brown, the alleged gunman, has entered a plea of not guilty. Brown was accused of committing domestic terrorism, after he stated to Police that he murdered Tevlin, along with three other men in Washington State, to seek vengeance for U.S. military action.

Brown, a registered sex offender who is accused of firing 10 shots into Tevlin’s SUV, has been charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

Four days after Tevlin was killed, authorities realized Brown was in New Jersey when he left behind a handprint during an alleged carjacking attempt on June 25 in Point Pleasant Beach, the Star-Ledger reported.

The community has offered a wealth of support to the Tevlin family, with not shortage of opportunities to give back. A memorial fund was set up, a benefit concert was held, and Seton Hall Prep, Tevlin’s alma mater, has announced plans to name an athletic field in his honor.

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