Do you know who murdered Rashaun Julius Nelson? In the early morning hours of May 9, 2001, the life of 21-year-old Rashaun Julius Nelson, an African-American male, was tragically cut short on the streets of his hometown, Paulsboro, New Jersey. A former standout basketball and football player at Paulsboro High School, Nelson was riding his bicycle along West Buck Street when he was confronted by two men. The encounter ended with Nelson being shot once in the back of the head.
His body was discovered in front of a residence on the same street at approximately 1 a.m. When investigators arrived, they found at least 10 bags of cocaine and several hundred dollars on his person, suggesting the killing may have been drug-related.
The investigation into Nelson's death continued for two years, and eventually led to the arrest of a Paulsboro man named Barry S. Green, who was 23 at the time. Green was charged with murder and weapons offenses in connection with Nelson's death. Another man, 22-year-old Jason C. Williams, also from Paulsboro, was considered a co-defendant in the case. However, the legal proceedings that followed did not bring the closure Nelson's family had hoped for. The case against Williams was dismissed after a witness recanted their testimony.
In 2004, Barry S. Green stood trial for the murder of Rashaun Julius Nelson. The prosecution's case heavily relied on the testimony of a key witness, whose credibility ultimately faltered in court. On September 29, 2004, a jury acquitted Green of all charges. The verdict was a devastating blow to Nelson's family, who felt that justice had not been served. Despite the acquittal, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office has stated that they believe Green was responsible for the killing and considers the case to be solved, though no one has been convicted for the crime.
