2004 Media Releases:

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

April 29, 2004

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Acting Camden Police Chief Edwin J. Figueroa reported today that Juan M. Marrero, M/26, was arrested on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, on a charge of Murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Leonardo Mercado, M/22, on Jan. 18, 2004, in Camden, N.J.

Marrero, of the 600 block of East Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia, is being held at the Camden County Correctional Facility in lieu of $300,000 bail, cash or bond, set today by Presiding Criminal Division Judge Linda G. Baxter of Superior Court in Camden.

It is alleged that the victim was standing in the 1100 block of Louis Street in Camden at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Jan. 18 when the defendant walked up and fired a handgun multiple times at Mercado, who lived in the 1500 block of Norris Street. The victim died a short time later at Cooper University Hospital. It is further alleged that the shooting stemmed from a dispute over drug territory.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.