Jahmere K. Presley, a 20-year-old male from Neptune Township, was found dead on Route 33 near Tilton Place just before 1 a.m. on Monday, November 26, 2018. The discovery prompted a homicide investigation, leading to the closure of the highway for several hours during the morning commute. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Neptune Township Police Department jointly conducted the investigation into his death.
The investigation led to the arrest of Curtis Wright Jr., a 24-year-old from neighboring Wall Township. Wright was charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Presley. The specific details of what led to the shooting were not immediately made public, but the arrest marked a significant development in the case.
The community was left to mourn the loss of the young man while the legal process began to unfold for the individual accused of his murder.
Following his arrest, Curtis Wright Jr. faced legal proceedings for his role in Jahmere Presley's death. He was ultimately convicted on a charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter. A Superior Court judge sentenced Wright to 15 years in New Jersey state prison. Under the stipulations of the No Early Release Act, he is required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.
