UNION COUNTY, NEW JERSEY – Union County Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez, Jr. has sentenced Laquan McCall, 31, to an extended term of 16 years in State Prison for second-degree manslaughter. McCall’s prior criminal history led to his classification as a persistent offender, resulting in a lengthier sentence than the typical 5 to 10 years for second-degree crimes. Judge Rodriguez also ordered that McCall must serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Christopher Elliott, an accomplice who pled guilty to third-degree aggravated assault, was sentenced to 3 years in State Prison.
On July 27, 2019, Elizabeth Police Department patrol units responded to a report of an altercation at Ben’s Bar on the 600 block of Meadow Street.
They discovered 28-year-old Melara with severe injuries, who was later pronounced dead at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. Testimony from the trial revealed that McCall had punched Melara multiple times outside the bar, causing fatal brain injuries.
Elliott admitted to acting as an accomplice by driving McCall away from the scene after the attack.