Harvey Sharp | Homicide Watch Trenton

Trenton killer Horace Gordon gets 45 years for murder

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman — Wed, 30 May 2018 13:33:54 -0400

Horace Gordon (COURTESY OF SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL JAIL)

Convicted murderer Horace J. Gordon has been sentenced to 45 years of state incarceration for slaying an innocent man in cold blood.

Gordon, 38, of Trenton, was found guilty earlier this year of shooting and killing 29-year-old Harvey Sharp in June 2015.

Gordon claimed self-defense in the slaying, but a jury of his peers unanimously convicted him March 22 on all three counts in the indictment comprising first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit and second-degree possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes.

The murder occurred in Trenton on the first block of Cummings Avenue on June 24, 2015. Gordon killed Sharp and then fled from New Jersey to southern Virginia, where he was later apprehended by a U.S. Marshals regional fugitive task force.

Harvey Sharp

The shooting happened on Sharp’s birthday, and sources say it was the result of a “petty argument.”

Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier sentenced Gordon last Friday to 45 years of state incarceration pursuant to the No Early Release Act requiring he serve 85 percent of the maximum term before he becomes eligible for parole. He was awarded 1,058 days of jail credit in the murder case and ordered to provide a sample of his DNA, court records show.

Billmeier also sentenced Gordon to four years of state incarceration for violating the terms of his probation in a 2013 Trenton drug case.

Judge Timothy Lydon previously sentenced Gordon to three years of probation on Oct. 28, 2014, in the drug case. Gordon violated the terms of that sentence by murdering Harvey Sharp, so Billmeier revoked Gordon’s probation last Friday and ordered him to be sent to prison for four years with 1,089 days of jail credit in the drug case.

Gordon originally resolved the 2013 drug case with a guilty plea that called for his distribution charges to be dismissed in exchange for a conviction on third-degree cocaine possession and a non-custodial punishment of probation, according to court records.

Records also show that Gordon has been jailed at the Mercer County Correction Center since July 11, 2015. Gordon remained detained at the county jail as of Wednesday, according to court records, but he is expected to be formally discharged and transferred to a state prison within the next week or so.

Pool attorney Michael R. Rosas represented Gordon in the murder case, which was prosecuted by Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Amy Devenny.

Gordon could have received 30 years to life imprisonment for the murder conviction. State law defines life imprisonment as 75 years of incarceration, which is the punishment that Devenny wanted to see imposed, but the judge ultimately hammered Gordon down the middle with 45 years in the slammer.

Trenton murder trial jury convicts Horace Gordon on all counts

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 17:14:24 -0400

Horace J. Gordon is now a convicted murderer.

Horace Gordon (COURTESY OF SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL JAIL)

Gordon, 38, of Trenton, got convicted on all counts Thursday for shooting and killing 29-year-old Harvey Sharp in June 2015.

“The evidence was really clear in this case,” Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Amy Devenny told The Trentonian after the verdict came down. “We’ll be recommending life in prison. That’s the least I can do, having the victim’s mother there. No mother should have to bury their child. Having her hear, ‘Guilty,’ that made it all worth it to me.”

Gordon claimed self-defense in the slaying, but a jury unanimously found him guilty of first-degree purposeful murder.

“It was not a reaction or mistake,” Devenny said of Gordon’s conduct. “He meant to kill the victim, and that’s exactly what he did.”

The murder occurred on the first block of Cummings Avenue on June 24, 2015. Gordon killed Sharp and then fled from New Jersey to southern Virginia, where he was later apprehended by a U.S. Marshals regional fugitive task force.

Harvey Sharp

The shooting happened on Sharp’s birthday, and sources say it was the result of a “petty argument.”

In addition to being convicted of murder, the jury also found Gordon guilty of second-degree possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes and guilty of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun. The jury reached its verdict Thursday afternoon on Day 2 of deliberations, with the victim’s family present to hear the outcome.

The convicted murderer is scheduled to be sentenced 2 p.m. May 25 before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier. Gordon could receive 30 years to life imprisonment, which state law defines as 75 years of incarceration.

Alleged killer Horace Gordon takes Trenton murder case to trial

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:28:59 -0500

The alleged triggerman who shot and killed 29-year-old Harvey Sharp in June 2015 is maintaining his innocence as his case heads to trial.

Horace Gordon (COURTESY OF SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL JAIL)

A jury will determine whether Horace J. Gordon, 38, of Trenton, is guilty or not guilty of the grisly Chambersburg slaying. He is accused of gunning down Sharp on the first block of Cummings Avenue on June 24, 2015, then fleeing from New Jersey to southern Virginia, where he was later apprehended by a U.S. Marshals regional fugitive task force.

The shooting happened on Sharp’s birthday, and sources say it was the result of a “petty argument.”

Jury selection for Gordon’s murder trial commenced this week and opening statements are expected to begin next week in Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier’s courtroom.

Harvey Sharp

Gordon since July 2015 has been jailed on $1 million cash only bail. A grand jury handed up an indictment on Feb. 26, 2016, charging Gordon with one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree possession of firearm for unlawful purposes and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun.

Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Amy Devenny is trying Gordon on behalf of the state. The alleged killer is being represented by pool attorney Michael R. Rosas.

Trenton man indicted for 2015 murder of Harvey Sharp

Penny Ray — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 12:40:36 -0500

Horace Gordon (COURTESY OF SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL JAIL)

A city man was indicted last week in connection with the murder of 29-year-old Harvey Sharp.

Horace Gordon, 36, is charged with murder and related weapons offenses in connection with the June 2015 shooting that gunned down Sharp on the front porch of a Cummings Avenue home.

The shooting happened on Sharp’s birthday, and sources say it was the result of a “petty argument.”

Gordon was arrested in southern Virginia about a week after the shooting. He remains in jail on $1 million bail.

Accused murderer who fled to Virginia still looking to retain attorney

Isaac Avilucea — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 20:43:46 -0400

Horace Gordon (COURTESY OF SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL JAIL)

The suspect accused of fatally shooting a Trenton man on his birthday had his bail hearing postponed for the second time in as many weeks.

Horace Gordon is accused of gunning down 29-year-old Harvey Sharp on June 24, on the first block of Cummings Avenue, then fleeing from New Jersey to southern Virginia, where he was later apprehended by members of the U.S. Marshals.

Superior Court Judge Darlene Pereksta adjourned the bail hearing for a second time because Gordon is not represented by an attorney on the murder charge.

Gordon told the court he was attempting to retain defense attorney Arun Levine.

“I’m working on it,” he said.

Gordon also filled out paperwork to be represented by the public defender’s officer. But Mercer County public defender Tom Belsky said his office had not received that paper work nor conducted an interview with Gordon at the county jail, where he is being held in lieu of $1 million.

Assistant Prosecutor Skylar Weissman noted that a large contingent of Sharp’s family showed up for Friday’s hearing as they had done the previous week, only to see the proceeding postponed.

“I don’t want them to come every week and we put this off,” Pereksta said.

The matter was rescheduled for July 31.

Man arrested in Virginia for murder of Harvey Sharp

Penny Ray — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 23:17:27 -0400

Harvey Sharp

A man was arrested in Virginia Thursday afternoon and charged in connection with the murder of 29-year-old Harvey Sharp.

Horace Gordon was arrested around 3:10 p.m. Thursday by members of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Regional Fugitive Task Force in Richmond, Va. The USMS issued a press release Thursday stating that they arrested a man in connection with a murder that occurred in Trenton. A spokesperson for the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office confirmed the victim of that murder was Sharp, one of two men who died on June 24.

Sharp, whose birthday is also the date of his death, was shot while on the front porch of a home located in the first block of Cummings Avenue around 12:11 a.m. A woman who lives in that neighborhood said she heard two gunshots. When police arrived on-scene, they found Sharp suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest and he later died at the hospital.

U.S. Marshals in Richmond were notified of Gordon's whereabouts by investigators working in Trenton. Law enforcement believed Gordon was hiding in a home located in the 300 block of Hicksford Avenue in Emporia, Va. And that's exactly where they found him on Thursday.

The full USMS press release is below.

Trenton Murder Suspect Apprehended in Emporia

Richmond, VA – In the late afternoon hours of July 2nd, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Richmond arrested a man who is wanted for murder in Trenton, NJ. Horace Gordon shot and killed his victim then fled the state of New Jersey to avoid arrest.

After an extensive investigation by the NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, Trenton Division, the team developed information that Gordon was likely hiding out in Emporia, Virginia. A request was sent to the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force in Richmond requesting help in locating Gordon. After days of investigation, task force members developed information that Gordon was likely hiding out at a home in the 300 block of Hicksford Avenue. At approximately 3:10 p.m. task force members converged on that residence and apprehended Gordon without incident.

“The apprehension of this fugitive is a direct result of the perseverance of our investigators and the interagency cooperation that exists on our fugitive task forces,” said U.S. Marshal Robert Mathieson.
The USMS Regional Fugitive Task Force in Richmond consists of investigators for the U.S. Marshals Service, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Richmond, Chesterfield, and Hopewell Police Departments.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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.”