2006 Media Releases:

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

March 16, 2006

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Camden Police Executive Robert L. Stewart reported today that two men were charged late yesterday in connection with separate fatal shootings last year in Camden, N.J.

Being held at the Camden County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail are:

• Sylvester Hamblin, 39, of Camden. He is charged with Murder, accused of fatally shooting Hajii Truluck, 27, at approximately 12:25 a.m. on Dec. 25, 2005, in the 500 block of Carl Miller Boulevard (Van Hook Street). Superior Court Judge Linda G. Baxter, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division in Camden, set bail at $750,000, cash or bond.

A Statement of Probable Cause in support of the arrest warrant alleges that Hamblin stated to another individual that he shot Truluck because Truluck was dating Hamblin’s ex-girlfriend.

• Michael J. Coombs, 18, of Pennsauken. He is charged with Felony Murder, accused of participating in the robbery and shooting of Dewey Marshall, 22, on Aug. 29, 2005. Marshall died two days later at Cooper University Hospital. Judge Baxter set bail at $450,000, cash or bond.

A Statement of Probable Cause in support of the arrest warrant alleges that Coombs and three other individuals drove to the Tamarack Apartments on Ferry Avenue intending to rob Marshall at the apartment of a female friend of the victim’s. The statement further alleges that Coombs, carrying a .25-caliber pistol, exited the vehicle along with one other occupant and went into the apartment building at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Aug. 29.

Investigation indicates that Marshall answered a knock on the door of the apartment and was confronted by and struggled with at least one individual. The apartment door was kicked off its hinges, shots were fired and Marshall was struck once in the head. He ran outside the apartment building and collapsed. The suspects fled the area.

Two other men – Corey K. Manderville, 28, of Camden, and Lawrence Willis, a.k.a. “Lawrence Williams,” 28, of Berlin – were charged in January with Felony Murder in the case. They remain jailed in lieu of bail. The investigation continues into the identity of the fourth individual involved.

Under New Jersey law, anyone who knowingly participates in an armed robbery that results in the victim’s death can be charged with Felony Murder.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.