2005 Media Releases:

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

July 12, 2005

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi announced that a jury found a Camden man guilty of Murder today in the fatal shooting of Markquise Hill, M/16, in November 2002 in Camden, N.J.

Gardell Hunt, a.k.a. Mickle Faison, faces sentencing by Superior Court Judge Irvin Snyder sentences him on Aug. 12, 2005.

On Nov. 25, 2002, Camden Police responded to the area of 30th and Benson streets at approximately 7:43 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Arriving officers found the victim, who lived in the 2500 block of Baird Boulevard, lying on the sidewalk on Benson Street. He had been shot multiple times.

Two eyewitnesses called by Assistant Prosecutor Robert Luther, including a boy who was 12 at the time of the Murder, testified for the State.

"These witnesses did the right thing - they came forward and told the jury what they saw," Sarubbi said. "I admire their strength and courage. The result is a first-degree Murder conviction." Hunt faces up to life in prison.

Markquise Hill was an honor student at Woodrow Wilson High School and had aspirations of attending college and medical school.

Hill's older brother testified that he had been working for Hunt as a drug dealer at the time and owed the defendant $50 in drug money that he refused to pay. He further testified that he and Hunt had a fistfight over the debt approximately two weeks before the shooting.

During his closing argument, Assistant Prosecutor Luther told the jury that the killing was "about more than $50 - it was about respect" as well as to send a message not only to the victim's brother, but to others who sold drugs for Hunt.

Defense witnesses, including the defendant, testified that Hunt was with family members at a Philadelphia restaurant at the time of the shooting. However, Luther's cross-examinations revealed that the dinner ended in time for Hunt to get back to Camden and shoot Hill at approximately 7:40 that night.

Sarubbi commended Luther as well as the lead detectives in the case, Sgt. Frank Falco of the Prosecutor's Office and Camden Police Detective Frank Ruiz.

"While this verdict cannot erase the sadness of losing a promising young man with a bright future, it should send a strong message that violence will not be tolerated. We will use all our resources and wherewithal to exact justice on those who choose to engage in street violence," Sarubbi said. "I again want to express my condolences to Markquise Hill's family."