Prosecutors, Trenton suspected killer at impasse in negotiations
Tomarkus Whitfield
A Trenton man accused of fatally shooting 33-year-old Pinkey Priester appears headed for trial.
Tomarkus Whitfield, 37, has pleaded not guilty and so far rejected prosecutors’ offer to serve 25 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter. He is charged with counts of murder and weapons offenses after authorities said he pumped more than 10 rounds into Prieseter on June 16, 2014, on the 300 block of Centre Street.
Authorities said the men had a longstanding financial dispute.
Assistant Prosecutor Will Fisher asked a judge Monday at a status hearing to bring the case back for one more status hearing before scheduling the matter for plea cutoff. He said the case is being handed off to Assistant Prosecutor Michelle Gasparian in late spring.
Fisher has handled the case in Gasparian’s stead.
Defense attorney Ron Garzio asked a judge for time to review police reports and other documents handed over in discovery. He also needed to determine whether to conduct an investigation or file additional motions based off the materials handed over.
Whitfield was arrested by Mercer County Prosecutor’s Detective Gary Wasko and the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force on Division Street. He has an extensive criminal history and is jailed on a $750,000 cash-only bail.
Whitfield is expected back in court in April.
