Springfield Man Convicted of Murdering Orange Teen

After a four-day trial, a 20-year-old Springfield resident was found guilty in the 2011 murder of a high school student.

This month, an Essex County jury convicted Keevin David, 20, of murdering 18-year-old Tyrell Coleman of Orange in January, 2011.

David was charged in connection with the death in May of 2011. 

Assistant Prosecutor Portia Downing, who tried the case, said David shot Coleman while Coleman was walking home from high school around noon. The shooting occurred in the 200 block of South Center Street, near the victim's home. Coleman died a short time later after being brought to University Hospital.

Downing said that while David knew Coleman, the motive for the shooting was not clear. 

“There were no eyewitnesses," Downing said in a news release.

She credited the police work performed by Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Phillip Gregory and Orange Detective Sgt. Michael Tingolie in convincing the jury of the David's guilt though circumstial evidence.

"We are very pleased," she said. "More importantly, the family that had to live through this nightmare is pleased."

David had previously been convicted of weapon charges in another trial in September, 2012. That jury was unable to reach a verdict on the murder charge.

Following a four-day trial before the Judge Peter J. Vazquez, the jury deliberated all day Thursday, Jan 17 and two and a half hours on Friday, Jan 18, before returning a guilty verdict.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 1. David faces 30 years to life.