In the cold of a Valentine's Day in Newark, New Jersey, the life of Omar S. Faines, a 31-year-old man, was brought to a violent and tragic end. On February 14, 2016, Faines was fatally shot inside a car. His body was later discovered in the early hours of the following morning, left in a driveway on Rose Terrace in the city's South Ward. The grim discovery launched an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Newark Police Department.
The investigation led to the arrest of Fateem T. Moses, then 35, of Newark. Authorities charged Moses with murder and weapons offenses in connection with Faines's death. The motive for the killing remained unclear, a baffling aspect of the case, as it was reported that Moses had a close relationship with Faines's family. The seemingly senseless act of violence left a community searching for answers.
Justice for Omar Faines saw its day in court when Fateem T. Moses pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter and unlawful possession of a handgun on December 22, 2016. Subsequently, he was sentenced to 23 years in state prison. Under the terms of his sentence, governed by the No Early Release Act, Moses will be required to serve 85 percent of his term before becoming eligible for parole. The prosecutor's office highlighted the brutality of the crime, noting that Faines was not only killed but his body was disposed of in a driveway by a man who was close to him and his family. Moses had a history of criminal activity, with ten prior felony convictions.
