Edwin Saddler | Homicide Watch Trenton

Trenton man indicted for Edwin Saddler murder

Penny Ray — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 15:24:29 -0400

Akee Harris

A city man has been indicted in connection with the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Edwin Saddler.

Akee Harris, 27, was indicted on murder and related weapons charges in connection with Saddler’s death, which happened on June 23, 2015, in the first block of Ellsworth Avenue.

Prosecutors believe Harris and Saddler were involved in a physical altercation, during which Harris stabbed Saddler numerous times. Prosecutors say Harris was treated at a hospital in Hopewell after suffering a laceration to his hand during the altercation with Saddler.

Harris was arrested at a relative’s house in the capital city a few days after the stabbing. He is free on $250,000 bail.

At a bail hearing last year, Harris’ attorney said his client was unarmed and acted in self-defense when he was jumped by three men who were reportedly waiting for him when he pulled up with his girlfriend to his city residence on Ellsworth Avenue. The attorney said the knife used to fatally stab Saddler was “introduced by the other party.”

Defense attorney: Akee Harris acted in self-defense during murder of Edwin Saddler

Isaac Avilucea — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 11:15:42 -0400

Akee Harris

The brother of a city man accused of fatally stabbing a former Trenton Central High School football player last month said Wednesday his brother is not a violent person and was defending himself against “three known criminals” who jumped him outside his home.

That is not how prosecutors said it happened at a bail hearing for Akee Harris, 26, of Ellsworth Avenue. Harris is charged with murder and weapons offenses for allegedly stabbing 22-year-old Edwin Saddler to death June 23.

Harris’ attorney, Jumba Mugwanya, said his client was unarmed and acted in self-defense when he was jumped by three men who were reportedly waiting for him when he pulled up with his girlfriend to his city residence on Ellsworth Avenue.

“The knife was introduced by the other party,” Mugwanya said.

Superior Court Judge Gerald Council heard both attorneys’ versions before reducing bail to $500,000 from $1 million.

The judge told Assistant Prosecutor Skylar Weissman the case against Harris “doesn’t appear to be a slam dunk.”

Harris has no prior criminal record, and his relationship to the victim is unclear, although prosecutors said the men knew each other.

Edwin Saddler

Saddler had apparently tried to intervene in a fight between Harris and another man who was not identified in court, Weissman said. Saddler was stabbed multiple times and died hours later at the hospital.

Harris was also injured in the fray.

His brother, Kareem Harris, told The Trentonian he suffered bruises, in addition to the cut prosecutors said he sustained on his hand. He was treated for his injuries at a hospital in Hopewell around the same time Saddler was hospitalized in Trenton. Akee Harris required 71 stitches to close his wound, his brother said.

Kareem Harris said he had spoken with his brother about 15 minutes before the fight, which broke out shortly after Akee Harris got home following his shift at a car-detailing shop.

Two men murdered overnight in Trenton

Penny Ray — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:12:03 -0400

Police guard this home in the first block of Cummings Avenue were a man was shot and killed. June 24, 2015 (Penny Ray - Trentonian)

It seems as if violence in the city never takes a vacation — not even during the summer months.

Two men were murdered in Trenton this week bringing this year’s homicide count to double digits.

“We can't continue to have vicious cycles,” City Council President Zachary Chester said. “We have to find solutions and make life better for everyone. We need everyone to come together to solve these problems.”

Tuesday night just before midnight, police were dispatched to the first block of Ellsworth Avenue where they found 22-year-old Edwin Saddler suffering from multiple stab wounds. Saddler died several hours later at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

Then, around 12:11 a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to the first block of Cummings Avenue where they found 29-year-old Harvey Sharp suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Sharp, whose birthday was Wednesday, also died at the hospital.

On Wednesday morning, police prevented people from entering a home on Cummings Avenue where the shooting occurred. A woman who claimed to live in that home said she didn’t know whether the shooting happened inside the house, and she refused to say whether she was related to Sharp. Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said the shooting occurred on the front porch of that home, and that it was the result of a “petty argument.” A woman who was in the area Wednesday morning said the first block of Cummings Avenue is normally a quiet neighborhood, and that people who live there usually keep to themselves. The woman said she was upstairs in her home when the shooting occurred, and that she heard at least two gunshots.

“There are other ways to deal with conflict,” Councilman Chester said. “We can't solve problems by taking someone's life; that should not be the solution.”

So far this year, 11 people have been killed in Trenton, which includes the arson death of Alberto Moya-Cuevas and the death of John Covington, who was fatally struck by a vehicle as he crossed the street pushing a shopping cart.

“Violence is the product of spiritual, social, economic and political contradictions,” Reverend Lukata Mjumbe said. “Those contradictions are not only destructive to the lives of those who were killed, but it's destructive to the perpetrator of the crime and to the community that is directly impacted by the violence.”

Mjumbe, Evangelist and Executive Director of Urban Mission Cabinet Inc., said he is convinced the solutions to preventing violence lie within each community. He and other faith-based leaders are committed to working with citizens to identify the root causes of violence in Trenton. Earlier this month, Mjumbe and about 25 other people spent three hours walking up and down St. Joes Avenue talking to residents about crime. Mjumbe said they intentionally walked the streets between midnight and 3 a.m. because two recent homicide victims were killed during that time span.

“We heard a lot of different things from citizens,” Mjumbe said. “There are some people who recognize that there's an economic dimension to violence based upon the perception, or reality, of lack of opportunities. Other people identified rivalries between different groups in the community as a source of the violence. And others acknowledge a deep sense of spiritual hopelessness within some residents in the city. There are people without hope who do not feel as if they have constructive and productive options. We're self-destructing and it's critical that all of us come together and start listening to people who are living in these communities that are being destroyed. That's where the answers and solutions are going to come from.”

Councilman Chester said he believes crime and violence in the capital city can be reduced by providing young people with more employment opportunities, which will keep them off of the streets at night and provide something positive to build upon. Chester said he and his fellow council members are working to obtain funding for job training so city residents will be qualified for jobs coming into Trenton through the mayor’s economic redevelopment plan. Chester also said city officials need to find a way to educate young residents on positive conflict resolution techniques.

“I charge organizations in the city that deal with conflict resolution to come to council and the administration and let's find a way to deal with violence,” Chester said. “Taking a life cannot be the solution.”

Anyone with information about the murder of Saddler or Sharp is asked to call (609) 989-6406. Or use the Trenton Police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663. Individuals may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeledTCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.

“Nothing is more unsettling to me than when our residents are murdered,” Mayor Eric Jackson said. “Make no mistake, the Trenton Police Department is working with the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and will apply every available resource to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”