2004 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

March 2, 2004

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi announced that a jury today found Dean Scott Lee, M/32, guilty of Murder in the fatal shooting of Santiago Peralta in Camden, N.J., on March 22, 2000.

The jury deliberated for approximately eight hours over two days before rendering its verdict this afternoon. After a trial that lasted approximately three weeks, the panel also found Lee guilty of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.

Peralta, M/24, of the 700 block of Chestnut Street, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso at approximately 9:51 p.m. on March 22, 2000, while in his car in the 600 block of Spruce Street. He died at Cooper University Hospital on March 24, 2000.

The victim had run out of a nearby alley, jumped into his car and driven at a high rate of speed down Spruce Street. The vehicle collided with a number of parked vehicles and came to rest in the 600 block of Spruce Street. As Peralta attempted to flee the vehicle, shots were fired into the vehicle from the passenger side.

Lee, of Sicklerville, faces up to life in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced on a date to be announced.

Sarubbi thanked all the assistant prosecutors and investigators who worked on the case, and reserved particular praise for Assistant Prosecutor Mindy Mellits, who presented the State's case, and Senior Investigator Kevin Kellejan, the lead detective. Sarubbi also thanked the Camden Police Department and its detectives for their efforts.

"This was a difficult case that required painstaking investigation, cool-headed testimony and dogged prosecutorial determination," Sarubbi said. "Thanks to the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Mellits, Senior Investigator Kellejan and the attorneys, detectives and police officers who worked with them, the appropriate result was achieved."

In addition, Sarubbi noted the outstanding work of the members of his office's Victim-Witness Unit, who spent many hours providing services to witnesses who testified in the case.